Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

The invention has an object to provide a liquid crystal display in which a wide angle of view is obtained and a response time at a halftone can be shortened by regulating an alignment orientation of a liquid crystal by the use of a polymer fixation system in which a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizable component is sealed between substrates, and the polymerizable component is polymerized while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer to fix a liquid crystal alignment. A liquid crystal layer containing a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and a tilt direction at a time of driving is sealed between two substrates arranged opposite to each other. A plurality of stripe-like electrode patterns in which a pattern width is formed to be wider than a width of a space, are arranged so that the liquid crystal molecule is aligned in a longitudinal direction of the pattern when the polymer is formed by solidifying a polymerizable component mixed in the liquid crystal layer while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display inwhich a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizable component(monomer or oligomer), which is polymerized by light or heat, is sealedbetween substrates, and the polymerizable component is polymerized whilea voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer to fix a tiltingdirection of a liquid crystal molecules, and a method of manufacturingthe same.

[0003] Besides, the present invention relates to a liquid crystaldisplay of aVA (VerticallyAligned) mode in which a liquid crystal havinga negative dielectric anisotropy is vertically aligned, and a method ofmanufacturing the same.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A multi-domain vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display(hereinafter abbreviated to an MVA-LCD) is known in which a liquidcrystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy is vertically alignedand a bank (linear protrusion) or a cut portion (slit) of an electrodeis provided on the substrate as an alignment regulating structuralmember. Since the alignment regulating structural member is provided,even if a rubbing processing is not performed to an alignment film,liquid crystal alignment orientations at the time of voltage applicationcan be controlled to be plural orientations. This MVA-LCD is superior toa conventional TN (Twisted Nematic) LCD in a visual angle property.

[0006] However, the conventional MVA-LCD has a defect that whiteluminance is low and a display is dark. The main cause of this is thatsince an upper portion of a protrusion or an upper portion of a slitbecomes a boundary of alignment division to generate a dark line, thetransmissivity at the time of a white display becomes low and thedisplay becomes dark. In order to improve this defect, it is sufficientif an arrangement interval of the protrusions or slits is madesufficiently wide. However, since the number of the protrusions or slitsas the alignment regulating structural members becomes small, therearises a problem that it takes a time to fix the alignment of LCmolecule even if a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal, and a response speed becomes low.

[0007] In order to solve this problem and to obtain an MVA-LCD which hashigh luminance and enables a high speed response, a polymer fixation(macromolecule fixation) system is effective. In the polymer fixationsystem, a liquid crystal composite in which a polymerizable component ofa monomer, an oligomer, or the like (hereinafter abbreviated to amonomer) is mixed in a liquid crystal, is sealed between substrates. Inthe state where liquid crystal molecules are tilted by applying avoltage between the substrates, monomers are polymerized into polymers.By this, a liquid crystal layer in which the molecules are tilted(inclined) at a predetermined tilt direction by voltage application isobtained, and tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecule can befixed. A material which is polymerized by heat or light (ultravioletray) is selected as the monomer.

[0008] However, the polymer fixation system has some problems relatingto unevenness of display when an image is displayed on a completed LCD.First, there is a problem that unevenness of display occurs on an imagedisplay of the completed LCD due to the alignment abnormality of liquidcrystal locally generated in driving the liquid crystal at the time ofmonomer polymerization. Besides, there is also a problem that thereoccurs unevenness of display due to the abnormality of characteristicsof thin film transistors (TFTs) caused by driving of liquid crystal andpolymerization processing at the time of monomer polymerization.

[0009]FIG. 21A shows a liquid crystal driving method at the time offorming a polymer (polymerization) in a conventional MVA-LCD to which analignment fixation processing by the polymer fixation system isperformed. FIG. 21B shows the cause of the unevenness of display of theMVA-LCD in which the polymer formed by the liquid crystal driving methodshown in FIG. 21A exists in a liquid crystal layer. The n-channel typeTFTs are used in this MVA-LCD.

[0010] In general, in order to prevent a ghosting phenomenon, analternating voltage is applied to a liquid crystal layer of an LCD.Then, also in a polymerization step at a stage of LCD manufacture, analternating voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer to tilt theliquid crystal molecules, and monomers are polymerized. For example, asshown in a graph of FIG. 21A, a gate voltage Vg=33 V is kept applied toall gate bus lines of a panel display region, and a TFT, which isprovided in each pixel, is kept in an on state, and then, a drainvoltage in which an alternating data voltage Vd (ac)=±7 V issuperimposed on a direct-current data voltage Vd (dc)=13 V is applied toall drain (data) bus lines. By this, Vd (dc)+Vd (ac) is written to apixel electrode formed in each pixel region. On the other hand, a commonelectrode arranged opposite to the pixel electrode across the liquidcrystal layer is kept at a common voltage Vc=13 V. By this, thealternating voltage of the data voltage Vd (ac)=±7 V is applied to theliquid crystal layer.

[0011]FIG. 21B shows the unevenness of display of the MVA-LCD fabricatedby this liquid crystal driving method. FIG. 21B shows a display state ofthree pixels arranged in order of G (Green), B (Blue) and R (Red) fromthe left. A dark portion X1 and a bright portion X2 shown in a verticalellipse in the drawing are seen. It is understood that as stated above,if polymer fixation is performed by the driving method shown in thegraph of FIG. 21A, the alignment of the liquid crystal in the pixel,especially the alignment state in the vicinity of a pixel edgefluctuates and the dark portion X1 is formed as shown in FIG. 21B.Besides, there arises a problem that when the whole display region ofthe panel in the state like this is observed, the display is seen to berough.

[0012] Besides, in the above liquid crystal driving method, the gatevoltage Vg is made sufficiently larger than the voltage Vd (dc)+Vd (ac)of the drain bus line to turn on the TFT, and then, the voltage Vd(dc)+Vd (ac) for tilting the liquid crystal molecules is applied to thedrain bus line. However, if polymerization is made in this drivingstate, a large fluctuation occurs in threshold values of the respectiveTFTs provided in the respective pixels, and there arises a defect that adesired display can not be produced or the unevenness of display occurssince some TFT is not turned on in a portion on the display region ofthe completed LCD.

[0013] Besides, there is a case where an alignment regulating structuralmember is provided to keep the liquid crystal in a desired alignmentorientation at the time of monomer polymerization. As the alignmentregulating structural member, there is, for example, a structure usedina subsequent embodiment and shown in FIG. 4A. In this structure,linear cruciform connection electrodes 12 and 14 dividing a rectangularpixel into four rectangles of the same shape are formed. The connectionelectrode 12 is formed at the substantially center portion of therectangular pixel and parallel with a long side, and the connectionelectrode 14 is formed on a storage capacitance bus line 18 crossing thesubstantially center portion in the pixel.

[0014] A plurality of stripe-like electrodes 8 of a minute electrodepattern are formed to be repeatedly extended from the connectionelectrodes 12 and 14 at an angle of 45°. A pixel electrode isconstituted by the connection electrodes 12 and 14 and the plurality ofstripe-like electrodes 8. A space 10 in a state in which a portion of anelectrode is cut away is formed between the adjacent stripe-likeelectrodes 8. The stripe-like electrode 8 and the space 10 constitute analignment regulating structural member. Incidentally, instead of thestripe-like electrode 8 and the space 10 of FIG. 4A, a minute linearprotrusion may be naturally formed on a pixel electrode formed on thewhole surface in a pixel.

[0015] When such a minute line and space pattern is formed, liquidcrystal molecules are aligned in parallel with the longitudinaldirection of the minute pattern. By doing so, alignment divisionboundary portions in the pixel can be made as small as possible.However, there arises a problem that T-V characteristics(transmissivity—gradation voltage characteristics) are changed by slightfluctuation of the width of the minute electrode pattern due tofluctuation of an exposure pattern in a photolithography process, andthis is seen as the unevenness of display.

[0016] Besides, as described above, since a rubbing processing is notperformed to the alignment film in the MVA-LCD, means for regulating thealignment orientation with respect to liquid crystal molecules in theoutside region of the pixel electrode is not provided. Thus, as shown inFIG. 20A, there is a case where singular points (indicated by ∘ or  inthe drawing) of alignment vectors are generated outside the pixelelectrode at random, and the alignment is maintained as it is. Thus, ifmonomers are polymerized in a state where liquid crystal molecules 24 aoutside the pixel electrode or in the vicinity of an edge of the pixelelectrode are aligned in an orientation other than a desired one, asshown in FIG. 20A, a dark line is formed in a region connecting theadjacent singular points, and there arises a problem that the luminanceis lowered, a response time becomes long, or the unevenness of displayoccurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystaldisplay in which an alignment orientation of a liquid crystal isregulated by using a polymer fixation method so that a wide angle ofview can be obtained and a response time at a halftone can be shortened,and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0018] The above object can be achieved by a method of manufacturing aliquid crystal display having n-channel TFTs, which comprises steps ofsealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizable component,which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates, andpolymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is applied tothe liquid crystal layer to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquid crystalmolecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, and ischaracterized in that the voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layerunder a voltage application condition 2 subsequently to a voltageapplication condition 1 mentioned below, and the polymerizable componentis polymerized at a stage of the voltage application condition 2;

[0019] voltage application condition 1: Vg>Vd (dc)=Vc, and

[0020] voltage application condition 2: Vc>Vd (dc),

[0021] where,

[0022] Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line,

[0023] Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode, and

[0024] Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to a drainbus line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIGS. 1A and 1B are views for explaining a first principle of aliquid crystal display and a method of manufacturing the same accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for explaining a second principle of theliquid crystal display and the method of manufacturing the sameaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIGS. 3A and 3B are views for explaining a third principle of theliquid crystal display and the method of manufacturing the sameaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIGS. 4A and 4B are views for explaining a fourth principle of theliquid crystal display and the method of manufacturing the sameaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the fourth principle of the liquidcrystal display and the method of manufacturing the same according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a fifth principle of the liquidcrystal display and the method of manufacturing the same according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031]FIGS. 7A and 7B are views for explaining a comparative example 1-1of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a view showing results of alignment states in pixels androughness of display of LCDs obtained in examples 1-1 and 1-2 of thefirst embodiment of the present invention and comparative examples 1-1and 1-2;

[0033]FIGS. 9A to 9F are views showing the change of liquid crystalalignment states resulting from the level change of a gate voltage Vg;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a view showing the relation between the alignment stateand the unevenness due to the threshold shift of TFTs with respect togate voltage Vg;

[0035]FIGS. 11A and 11B are views showing results of a simulationshowing the rate of change of transmissivity at a halftone display in acase where a width L of a stripe-like electrode 8 is formed to beshifted from a design value by about 0.2 μm in example 1-5 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0036]FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing actually measured values ofthe rate of change of transmissivity at a halftone display in a casewhere the width L of the stripe-like electrode 8 is formed to be shiftedfrom the design value by about 0.2 μm in the example 1-5 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing actually measured values ofthe rate of change of transmissivity at a halftone display in a casewhere the width L of the stripe-like electrode 8 is formed to be shiftedfrom the design value by about 0.2 μm in the example 1-5 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0038]FIGS. 14A and 14B are views showing actually measured values ofthe rate of change of transmissivity at a halftone display in a casewhere the width L of the stripe-like electrode 8 is formed to be shiftedfrom the design value by about 0.2 μm in the example 1-5 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 15 is a view for explaining example 1-6 of the liquid crystaldisplay and the method of manufacturing the same according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 16 is a view for explaining example 1-7 of the liquid crystaldisplay and the method of manufacturing the same according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the example 1-7 of the liquidcrystal display and the method of manufacturing the same according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 18 is a view for explaining example 1-9 of the liquid crystaldisplay and the method of manufacturing the same according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0043]FIGS. 19A and 19B are views for explaining the example 1-9 of theliquid crystal display and the method of manufacturing the sameaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0044]FIGS. 20A and 20B are views showing singular points of alignmentvectors;

[0045]FIGS. 21A and 21B are views showing a liquid crystal drivingmethod at the time of forming a polymer (polymerization) in aconventional MVA-LCD to which an alignment fixation processing by apolymer fixation system is performed;

[0046]FIGS. 22A and 22B are views showing an MVA-LCD having a halfdivided alignment region, wherein FIG. 22A shows a state in which onepixel 2 of the MVA-LCD is viewed in the direction of a normal of asubstrate, and FIG. 22B shows a section obtained by cutting the MVA-LCDshown in FIG. 22A along a line parallel with a drain bus line 6;

[0047]FIG. 23 is a microscopic observation view of a pixel;

[0048]FIG. 24 is a view in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD of example2-1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is viewedin the direction of a normal of a substrate surface;

[0049]FIG. 25 is a view showing a sectional shape taken along line D-Dof FIG. 24;

[0050]FIG. 26 is a view showing a modified example of the example 2-1according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0051]FIG. 27 is a T-V diagram showing the effect of the example 2-1according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 28 is a view in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD of example2-2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention isviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface;

[0053]FIG. 29 is a view showing a sectional shape taken along line E-Eof FIG. 28;

[0054]FIG. 30 is a view showing a modified example of the example 2-2according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0055]FIG. 31 is a T-V diagram showing the effect of the example 2-2according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0056]FIG. 32 is a view in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD of example2-3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention isviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface;

[0057]FIG. 33 is a view showing an arrangement position of an electricfield shielding electrode 70 of the MVA-LCD according to the secondembodiment of the present invention and its operation;

[0058]FIG. 34 is a T-V diagram showing the effect of the example 2-3according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0059]FIG. 35 is a view in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD of example2-4 according to the second embodiment of the present invention isviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface;

[0060]FIG. 36 is a T-V diagram showing the effect of the example 2-4according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0061]FIG. 37 is a view in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD of example2-5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention isviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface;

[0062]FIG. 38 shows a construction in which a gap 76 between a drain busline 6 and a pixel electrode 3 is wide in the example 2-5 according tothe second embodiment of the present invention;

[0063]FIG. 39 is a view showing that in the example 2-5 according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, the electric field shieldingelectrode 70 of the example 2-3 is provided in an under layer of the gap76;

[0064]FIG. 40 is a T-V diagram showing the effect of the example 2-5according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 41 is a view in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD of example2-6 according to the second embodiment of the present invention isviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface;

[0066]FIG. 42 is a view showing a section taken along line F-F of FIG.41;

[0067]FIG. 43 is a view showing a section taken along line G-G of FIG.41;

[0068]FIG. 44 is a view showing the direction of rubbing in the example2-6according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0069]FIG. 45 is a T-V diagram showing the effect of the example 2-6according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0070]FIGS. 46A to 46E are views for explaining a tilting operation of aliquid crystal molecule 24a according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0071]FIG. 47 is a view showing an example in which a connectionelectrode 64 is provided at the center of a pixel in example 3-1 of thethird embodiment of the present invention;

[0072]FIG. 48 is a view showing an example in which the connectionelectrode 64 is provided on the side of a gate bus line 4 in the example3-1 of the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0073]FIG. 49 is a view showing a conventional MVA-LCD;

[0074]FIG. 50 is a view showing a tilt direction and a tilt angle θp ofa liquid crystal molecule 24 a;

[0075]FIG. 51 is a view showing the arrangement relation of arrangementregions 80 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0076]FIG. 52 is a view showing a directional structural member or asurface reformed region according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0077]FIG. 53 is a view showing another example of the directionalstructural member or the surface reformed region according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention;

[0078]FIGS. 54A to 54F are views each showing still another example ofthe directional structural member or the surface reformed regionaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0079]FIG. 55 is a view showing a construction for improving a visualangle property of an LCD according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0080]FIG. 56 is a view showing an arrangement example of a structuralmember according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0081]FIG. 57 is a view showing another example of the arrangementexample of the structural member according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0082]FIG. 58 is a view showing still another example of the arrangementexample of the structural member according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0083]FIG. 59 is a view showing a boundary structural member accordingto the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0084]FIG. 60 is a view showing another example of the boundarystructural member according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0085]FIG. 61 is a view showing a specific shape of the boundarystructural member according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0086]FIG. 62 is a view showing another specific shape of the boundarystructural member according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0087]FIG. 63 is a view showing a state in which three adjacent pixels 2of an LCD according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention areviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface;

[0088]FIG. 64 is a view showing a state in which three adjacent pixels 2of an LCD in an example according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention are viewed in the direction of a normal of a substratesurface.

[0089]FIG. 65 is a view showing a modified example of the exampleaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0090]FIG. 66 is a view showing a basic construction of an LCD using apolymer fixation system;

[0091]FIGS. 67A and 67B are views showing a conventional system in whichvoltage is applied to a liquid crystal layer 24 when monomer material isirradiated with UV and is polymerized;

[0092]FIGS. 68A and 68B are views in which an example according to asixth embodiment of the present invention is compared with aconventional example;

[0093]FIG. 69 is a view showing a liquid crystal display according to aseventh embodiment of the present invention and a method ofmanufacturing the same;

[0094]FIGS. 70A and 70B are views for explaining a problem in a casewhere alignment regulating force is increased by the polymer fixationsystem;

[0095]FIG. 71 is a view showing a driving waveform of a liquid crystaldisplay of example 8-1 according to an eighth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0096]FIGS. 72A and 72B are views showing a state in which two adjacentpixels 2 are viewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surfacein the liquid crystal display of the example 8-1 according to the eighthembodiment of the present invention;

[0097]FIG. 73 is a view showing a driving waveform of a liquid crystaldisplay of example 8-2 according to the eighth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0098]FIG. 74 is a view showing a driving waveform of a conventionalliquid crystal display as a comparative example;

[0099]FIG. 75 is a view for explaining an effect of the eighthembodiment of the present invention;

[0100]FIG. 76 is a view showing a schematic construction of a liquidcrystal display using an alignment fixing technique;

[0101]FIG. 77 is a view for explaining a problem in a case where asealing agent made of a photo-curing resin is used for a liquid crystalinjection port, which is used in a conventional dip injection method;

[0102]FIG. 78 is a view for explaining a problem in a case of using amain seal made of a photo-curing resin used in a conventional droppinginjection method;

[0103]FIG. 79 is a view showing results of measurement of a lightabsorption spectrum of a liquid crystal composite in example 9-1 of aninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0104]FIG. 80 is a view showing results of measurement of an absorptionspectrum of a resin used for a sealing agent 126;

[0105]FIG. 81 is a view showing results of measurement of a lightabsorption spectrum of a sealing agent in example 9-3 of the ninthembodiment of the present invention;

[0106]FIGS. 82A and 82B are views showing a light shielding structuralmember 130 in example 9-4 of the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0107]FIG. 83 is a view showing a light attenuation structural member132 in example 9-5 of the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0108]FIG. 84 is a view showing the rate of change of transmissivity ofa non-polymer-fixed panel and the rate of change of transmissivity of apolymer-fixed panel by comparison;

[0109]FIG. 85 is a view showing the relation of the attainedtransmissivity and the rising time with respect to an LCD having aliquid crystal which is not polymer fixed and an LCD having a liquidcrystal which is polymer fixed in the first embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0110]FIG. 86 is a view showing the relation of the gradation and therising time with respect to an LCD having a liquid crystal which is notpolymer fixed and an LCD having a liquid crystal which is polymer fixedin the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0111] [First Embodiment]

[0112] A liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A to 21B. First, a first principle ofthe liquid crystal display and the method of manufacturing the sameaccording to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.1A and 1B. FIG. 1A shows a liquid crystal driving method according tothe first principle at the time of polymer polymerization in an MVA-LCDto which an alignment fixation processing by a polymer fixation systemis performed. FIG. 1B shows a display state of the MVA-LCD in which apolymer formed by the liquid crystal driving method of the firstprinciple shown in FIG. 1A exists in a liquid crystal layer. Then-channel type TFTs are used in this MVA-LCD.

[0113] In a polymerization step of a manufacturing stage of an LCD, theliquid crystal driving method according to the first principle is basedon direct-current voltage driving, and an alternating voltage is notapplied to the liquid crystal layer. Further, a voltage sufficientlyhigher than that of a drain (data) bus line is applied to a gate busline, and a voltage of a common electrode is made higher than thevoltage of the drain bus line (pixel electrode). By doing so, ascompared with the conventional example shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, thereis no disturbance of a liquid crystal alignment in a pixel and it ispossible to obtain a display having no roughness even when the wholepanel is viewed.

[0114] For example, as shown in a graph of FIG. 1A, a gate voltage Vg=33V is kept applied to all gate bus lines of a panel display region, a TFTprovided for each pixel is kept turned on, and a direct-current datavoltage Vd (dc)=13 V is applied to all drain bus lines. By this, Vd (dc)is written to a pixel electrode formed in each pixel region. On theother hand, a common electrode arranged opposite to the pixel electrodeacross the liquid crystal layer is kept at a common voltage Vc=20 V. Bythis, a direct-current voltage of −7 V with respect to the commonpotential is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

[0115] A display of the MVA-LCD fabricated by this liquid crystaldriving method is shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B shows a display state ofthree pixels arranged in order of G (Green), B (Blue) and R (Red) fromthe left. It is understood that if polymer fixation is performed by thedriving method shown in the graph of FIG. 1A, as shown in FIG. 1B, thefluctuation of the liquid crystal alignment in the pixel, especially thefluctuation of the alignment state in the vicinity of a pixel edgedisappears, and the dark portion X1 of FIG. 21B disappears. By this,unevenness of display disappears, and even when the whole display regionof the panel is observed, roughness of display is not seen.

[0116] Next, a second principle of the liquid crystal display and themethod of manufacturing the same according to this embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A shows a liquidcrystal driving method according to the second principle. FIG. 2B showsa display state of an MVA-LCD in which a polymer formed by the liquidcrystal driving method of the second principle shown in FIG. 2A existsin a liquid crystal layer.

[0117] In a polymerization step of monomers in the liquid crystal layersealed between substrates, according to a liquid crystal driving methodof the second principle, a voltage sufficiently higher than that of adrain bus line is applied to a gate bus line, and a voltage of a commonelectrode is made higher than the voltage of the drain bus line (pixelelectrode). Thereafter, while the potential of the common electrode ismade to approach the voltage of the pixel electrode, an alternatingvoltage is simultaneously applied to the pixel electrode. Thedirect-current voltage is first applied to the liquid crystal layer,andthereafter,the alternating voltage is applied. Also in this case, ascompared with the conventional example of FIGS. 21A and 21B, there is nodisturbance of a liquid crystal alignment in a pixel, and a displaywithout roughness can be obtained even when the whole panel is viewed.

[0118] For example, as shown by a graph at the upper side of FIG. 2A, agate voltage Vg=33 V is kept applied to all gate bus lines of a paneldisplay region, a TFT provided in each pixel is kept turned on, and adirect-current data voltage Vd (dc)=13V is applied to all drain buslines. By this, Vd (dc) is written to the pixel electrode formed in eachpixel region. On the other hand, the common electrode arranged oppositeto the pixel electrode across the liquid crystal layer is kept at acommon voltage Vc=20 V. By this, a direct-current voltage of −7 V withrespect to the common potential is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

[0119] Next, as shown by a graph at the lower side of FIG. 2A, thecommon voltage Vc is made to gradually approach the data voltage Vd(dc)=13 V from 20 V. At the same time, an alternating data voltage Vd(ac) is superimposed on the direct-current data voltage Vd (dc)=13 Vwhile its level is gradually increased to ±7 V. By this, Vd (dc)+Vd (ac)is written to the pixel electrode formed in each pixel region. Thedirect-current voltage is first applied to the liquid crystal layer, andthen, the alternating voltage is applied.

[0120] A display of the MVA-LCD fabricated by this liquid crystaldriving method is shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B shows a display state ofthree pixels having a similar construction to FIG. 1B. When the polymerfixation is performed by the driving method shown in the graph of FIG.2A, as shown in FIG. 2B, although a slight fluctuation occurs in analignment state in the vicinity of a pixel edge, a dark portion X1 ofFIG. 2B is smaller than the dark portion X1 of FIG. 21B, and thefluctuation of luminance is decreased. By this, unevenness of displaycan be reduced, and roughness of display can be reduced even when thewhole display region of the panel is observed.

[0121] Next, a third principle of the liquid crystal display and themethod of manufacturing the same according to this embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A shows the thirdprinciple in which another driving method is added to the liquid crystaldriving method according to the first principle, and FIG. 3B shows thethird principle in which another driving method is added to the liquidcrystal driving method according to the second principle.

[0122] Left graphs of FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively show the drivingmethods of the first and second principles shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B andFIGS. 2A and 2B. Subsequently to the liquid crystal driving by thesedriving methods, the applied voltage Vg to the gate bus line isgradually lowered as indicated by an arrow in the drawing and is made toapproach the applied voltage (data voltage Vd (dc)+Vd (ac)) to the drainbus line (see the center and right graphs in the drawing). Bypolymerizing monomers in this state, it is possible to suppress thefluctuation of threshold values of TFTs and to obtain a panel in whichunevenness of display does not occur.

[0123] Next, a fourth principle of the liquid crystal display and themethod of manufacturing the same according to this embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 4A to 5. FIG. 4A shows one pixel 2viewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface. Since FIG.4A is already explained in the section of describing the related art,the explanation is omitted. FIG. 4B shows a partial section taken alongline A-A of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5 shows a partial section taken along line B-Bof FIG. 4A.

[0124] In FIGS. 4B and 5, a drain bus line 6 is formed on a glasssubstrate 20 on the side of an array substrate, and an insulating film22 is formed thereon. A pixel electrode is formed on the insulating film22 by connection electrodes 12 and 14 and a plurality of stripe-likeelectrodes 8. An alignment film 32 in contact with a liquid crystallayer 24 is formed on the pixel electrode. An opposite substrate isarranged opposite to the glass substrate 20 across the liquid crystallayer 24. A color filter layer 28 is formed on a glass substrate 30 onthe side of the opposite substrate, and a common electrode 26 is formedthereon. An alignment film 34 is formed on the common electrode 26 andis in contact with the liquid crystal layer 24. The thickness of theliquid crystal layer 24 is regulated to a predetermined cell gap d. Asshown in FIG. 5, a liquid crystal molecule 24 a is aligned in parallelwith an extension direction of the stripe-like electrode 8 by alignmentregulation caused by the stripe-like electrode 8 and the space 10.

[0125] In the fourth principle, an electrode width L of the stripe-likeelectrode 8 shown in FIGS. 4A and 5 is made larger than a width S of thespace 10. By doing so, the change of transmissivity with respect to apattern fluctuation occurring at the time of patterning process(exposure, development, etching) of the stripe-like electrode 8 isdecreased, and the unevenness of display can be improved.

[0126] Next, a fifth principle of the liquid crystal display and themethod of manufacturing the same according to this embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a construction of onepixel viewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface. Bychanging the width of a bus line (in this example, the width of a drainbus line) in the extension direction, a control can be made so thatoccurrence positions of singular points (indicated by ∘ or  in thedrawing) of alignment vectors become definite positions. That is, thebus line is made an alignment regulating structure, and the singularpoints of the alignment vectors of liquid crystal molecules outside thepixel electrode can be formed at the definite positions. By this, sincethe alignment of liquid crystal outside the pixel electrode becomefixed, monomers are polymerized while occurrence of a dark line as shownin FIG. 20A is suppressed, and the luminance and the unevenness ofdisplay can be improved.

[0127] The liquid crystal display according to this embodiment using theabove first to fifth principles and the method of manufacturing the samewill be specifically described using examples and comparative examples.

EXAMPLE 1-1

[0128] This example will be described using FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 4Aand 4B again. In this example, an XGA panel (pixel pitch was 297 μm, andthe number of pixels was 1024×768) having a size of 15 inches indiagonal was fabricated. The pixel structure of the panel is shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. An n-channel TFT 16, a drain bus line 6, a gate busline 4, and apixel electrode formed of connection electrodes 12 and 14and a plurality of stripe-like electrodes 8 were formed on an arraysubstrate including a glass substrate 20. A color filter layer 28 and acommon electrode 26 were formed on an opposite substrate including aglass substrate 30. A glass substrate having a thickness of 0.7 mm wasused as a substrate material. The plurality of stripe-like electrodes 8were formed to extend in four directions (upper right, lower right,upper left, lower left) from the center portion of the pixel,respectively. The electrode width of the stripe-like electrode 8 wasmade 3 μm, and the width of the space 10 was made 3 μm. Verticallyaligned films (polyimide material) were formed on these substrates byusing a printing method, and a heat treatment at 180° C. for 60 minuteswas carried out. These substrates were bonded to each other through aspacer of a diameter of 4 μm, and an empty cell (a cell in a state whereliquid crystal is not injected) was fabricated. A liquid crystal havinga negative dielectric anisotropy added with a trace amount ofphotopolymerization monomer was injected into the thus obtained cell,and a liquid crystal panel was fabricated. The addition amount of thephotopolymerization monomer was made 2.4 wt %.

[0129] Next, ultraviolet (UV) light was irradiated to the liquid crystallayer 24 in a state where a voltage was applied, and thephoto-polymerizable monomer was polymerized. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3Bas well, the driving voltage was applied to the liquid crystal layer 24under a voltage application condition 2 subsequently to a voltageapplication condition 1 mentioned below, and light irradiation to theliquid crystal layer 24 was performed at the stage of the voltageapplication condition 2;

[0130] voltage application condition 1: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V, and

[0131] voltage application condition 2: Vg=33 V, Vc=20 V, Vd (dc)=13 V.

[0132] The procedure of the voltage application will be described moreparticularly. First, the gate voltage Vg was made Vg=Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V.Next, the gate voltage Vg was raised up to 33 V. The speed of a voltagerise was made about 1 V/sec. Next, the common voltage Vc was raised upto 20 V. The speed of a voltage rise was made about 1 V/sec. Especially,it is preferable that this voltage rise is a continuous change, and ifthe voltage is abruptly raised, there is a case where a disturbance ofalignment occurs in a pixel. Incidentally, in this example, although thecommon voltage Vc was raised up to 20 V, since it is sufficient if thecommon voltage Vc>the data voltage Vd (dc) is satisfied, for example,the data voltage Vd (dc) may be dropped without changing the commonvoltage Vc.

[0133] The amount of light irradiation for polymerization was made about2000 mJ/cm² (wavelength λ=365 nm). There was no disturbance in thealignment state in the pixel, and a display having no feeling ofroughness was obtained. Incidentally, when the voltage is changed fromthe driving condition 1 to the driving condition 2, if the commonvoltage Vc is once made higher than a predetermined value and isdropped, the feeling of roughness is further improved. For example, itis appropriate that the common voltage is raised from Vc=13 V to Vc=23V, and then is dropped to Vc=20 V.

Comparative Example 1-1

[0134] A comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS.7A and 7B. This comparative example is the same as the example 1-1except for the following requirements. The driving voltage was appliedto the liquid crystal layer 24 under a voltage application condition 2subsequently to a voltage application condition 1 mentioned below, andlight irradiation to the liquid crystal layer 24 was performed at thestage of the voltage application condition 2;

[0135] voltage application condition 1: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V, and

[0136] voltage application condition 2: Vg=33 V, Vc=6 V, Vd (dc)=13 V.

[0137] As compared with the example 1-1, in this comparative example,the magnitude relation of the common voltage Vc and the data voltage Vd(dc) is reversed. In the case of this comparative example, the alignmentin the pixel was greatly disturbed, and roughness was seen on thedisplay.

Comparative Example 1-2

[0138] This comparative example will be described with reference toFIGS. 21A and 21B. This comparative example is the same as the example1-1 except for the following requirements. The driving voltage wasapplied to the liquid crystal layer 24 under a voltage applicationcondition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition 1 mentionedbelow, and light irradiation to the liquid crystal layer 24 wasperformed at the stage of the voltage application condition 2;

[0139] voltage application condition 1: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V, and

[0140] voltage application condition 2: Vg=33 V, Vc=13 V, Vd (dc)=13 V,Vd (ac)=7 V (rectangular wave of 30 Hz).

[0141] The alternating voltage is applied to the pixel electrode, andthis driving method is closest to an actual liquid crystal drivingsystem of an LCD. However, in this case, there was a disturbance in thealignment in the vicinity of a pixel edge portion and roughness was seenon the display.

EXAMPLE 1-2

[0142] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.This example is the same as the example 1-1 except for the followingrequirements. The driving voltage was applied to the liquid crystallayer 24 under a voltage application condition 2 subsequently to avoltage application condition 1 mentioned below, and the driving voltagewas further applied under a voltage application condition 3, and lightirradiation to the liquid crystal layer 24 was performed at the stage ofthe voltage application condition 3;

[0143] voltage application condition 1: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V,

[0144] voltage application condition 2: Vg=33 V, Vc=20 V, Vd (dc)=13 V,and

[0145] voltage application condition 3: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V, Vd(ac)=7 V (30 Hz).

[0146] After the liquid crystal driving similar to the example 1-1,while the common voltage Vc was made to gradually approach the value ofthe data voltage Vd (dc), the amplitude of the data voltage Vd (ac) wasgradually increased. By this, in this example, although the alignment ofa pixel edge was slightly disturbed, a display without the feeling ofroughness was obtained.

[0147]FIG. 8 shows results of alignment states in pixels and roughnessof display of LCDs obtained in the examples 1-1, 1-2 and the comparativeexamples 1-1 and 1-2. In the drawing, ∘ denotes “good”, Δ denotes“acceptable”, and x denotes “inferior”.

EXAMPLE 1-3

[0148] Next, this example will be described with reference to FIG. 3A.This example is the same as the example 1-1 except for the followingrequirements. The driving voltage was applied to the liquid crystallayer 24 under a voltage application condition 2 subsequently to avoltage application condition 1 mentioned below, and was further appliedunder a voltage application condition 3, and light irradiation forpolymerization of a photo-polymerizable monomer was performed to theliquid crystal layer 24 at the stage of the voltage applicationcondition 3;

[0149] voltage application condition 1: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V,

[0150] voltage application condition 2: Vg=33 V, Vc=20 V, Vd (dc)=13 V,and

[0151] voltage application condition 3: Vg=13 V, Vc=20 V, Vd (dc)=13 V.

[0152] That is, after the liquid crystal driving similar to the example1-1 was performed, the level of the gate voltage Vg was graduallylowered and was made equal to the data voltage Vd (dc).

[0153] By doing so, in the case where UV irradiation was performed tothe liquid crystal layer 24 by only the driving of the example 1-1,there was a case where unevenness of display caused by the thresholdfluctuation of TFTs occurred, however, in the case where the liquidcrystal driving as described in this example was made, the unevenness ofdisplay caused by the threshold fluctuation of the TFTs was completelyeliminated, and the liquid crystal alignment in the pixel was almostexcellent.

[0154]FIGS. 9A to 9F show the change of liquid crystal alignment statesresulting from the level change of the gate voltage Vg. FIGS. 9A to 9Fshow display states in which the gate voltages Vg are 33 V, 26 V, 20 V,13 V, 10 V, and 6 V. FIG. 9A shows the same state as FIG. 1B. As shownin FIGS. 9B to 9D, the alignment state is almost stable up to the gatevoltage Vg=Vd (dc)=13 V. As shown in FIGS. 9E and 9F, when the gatevoltage becomes Vg<Vd (dc), a noticeable dark line appears in thevicinity of the gate bus line. Accordingly, if a polymer is formed inthe state of the gate voltage Vg<Vd (dc), although the unevenness ofdisplay or the roughness caused by the threshold shift of the TFTs doesnot occur, the display luminance is lowered.

[0155] Next, FIG. 10 shows the relation between the alignment state andthe roughness caused by the threshold shift of the TFTs with respect tothe gate voltage Vg. As shown in FIG. 10, it can be said that in theliquid crystal panel used in this example, the gate voltage Vg=13 to 20V is the optimum driving condition. Especially, the gate voltage Vg=13 Vhas the same value as the data voltage Vd (dc), and the potentialdistribution on the array substrate on which the TFTs are formed can bemade flat. Accordingly, since the influence of an unnecessary horizontalelectric field is reduced at the pixel electrode edge, the disturbanceof alignment can not be occurred, and it can be said that the voltage isa preferable liquid crystal driving condition at the time ofpolymerization.

EXAMPLE 1-4

[0156] Next, this example will be described with reference to FIG. 3B.This example is the same as the example 1-1 except for the followingrequirements. The driving voltage was applied to the liquid crystallayer 24 under a voltage application condition 2 and a voltageapplication condition 3 in this sequence subsequently to a voltageapplication condition 1 mentioned below, and the driving voltage wasfurther applied thereto under a voltage application condition 4, andlight irradiation was performed to a photo-polymerizable monomer of theliquid crystal layer 24 at the stage of the voltage applicationcondition 4;

[0157] voltage application condition 1: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V,

[0158] voltage application condition 2: Vg=33 V, Vc=20 V, Vd (dc)=13 V,

[0159] voltage application condition 3: Vg=33 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V, Vd(ac)=7 V (30 Hz), and

[0160] voltage application condition 4: Vg=13 V, Vc=Vd (dc)=13 V, Vd(ac)=7 V (30 Hz).

[0161] That is, after the liquid crystal driving similar to the example1-2 was performed, the level of the gate voltage Vg was graduallylowered and was made equal to the data voltage Vd (dc).

[0162] By doing so, in the case where UV irradiation was performed tothe liquid crystal layer 24 by only the driving of the example 1-1,there was a case where unevenness of display caused by the thresholdfluctuation of TFTs occurred, however, in the case where the liquidcrystal driving as described in this example was performed, theunevenness of display caused by the threshold fluctuation of the TFTswas completely eliminated, and the liquid crystal alignment in the pixelwas almost excellent.

EXAMPLE 1-5

[0163] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 14Bin addition to FIGS. 4A to 5. This example is the same as the example1-3 except for the following requirements.

[0164] In this example, the pattern width L of the stripe-like electrode8 shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5 is made larger than the space width S ofthe space 10. Specifically, the widths are conventionally L=3 μm and S=3μm, however, in this example, the widths are made L=4 μm and S=2 μm.FIGS. 11A to 14B show the rate of change of transmissivity at a halftonedisplay in the case where the width L of the stripe-like electrode 8 isformed to be shifted from a design value by about 0.2 μm.

[0165]FIGS. 11A and 11B show results of a simulation, and FIGS. 12A to14B show actually measured values obtained from actual liquid crystalcells. FIGS. 12A and 12B show the values of liquid crystal panels havinga cell gap d=4 μm, FIGS. 13A and 13B show the values of liquid crystalpanels having a cell gap d=3.5 μm, and FIGS. 14A and 14B show the valuesof liquid crystal panels having a cell gap d=4.5 μm. FIGS. 11A to 14Ashow the rate of change of transmissivity in the case where the patternwidth L (design value) of the stripe-like electrode 8 is taken in thehorizontal direction, the space width S (design value) is taken in thevertical direction, and the driving voltage of 3 V is applied to theliquid crystal layer 24. In FIG. 11A, the pattern width L=1 μm to 5 μmis divided at intervals of 0.5 m, and the space width S=1μm to 5 μm isdivided at intervals of 0.5 μm. In FIGS. 12A to 14B, the pattern widthL=2 μm to 5 μm is divided at intervals of 1 μm, and the space width S=1μm to 5 μm is divided at intervals of 1 μm.

[0166] A description will be given while the rate of change oftransmissivity at L=3 and S=3 of FIG. 11A is cited as an example. Forexample, it is assumed that transmissivity is A % in the case where adriving voltage of 3 V is applied to a liquid crystal layer of a liquidcrystal panel of, for example, L=3 μm (design value) and S=3 μm (designvalue). On the other hand, it is assumed that transmissivity is B % inthe case where a driving voltage of 3 V is applied to a liquid crystallayer of a liquid crystal panel in which the stripe-like electrode 8 hasthe width L=2.8 μm shifted from the design value by 0.2 μm, andconsequently the space 10 has the width S=3.2 μm increased by 0.2 μm.Besides, transmissivity is made C % in the case where a driving voltageof 3 V is applied to a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal panelhaving L=3.2 μm and S=2.8 μm.

[0167] The rate of change of transmissivity at L=3 and S=3 of FIG. 11Ais expressed by ((|A−B|/A+|A−C|/A)/2)×100 (%), and in this example, itis 14.17. The same applies to the other drawings of FIGS. 11A to 14A.FIGS. 11B to 14B show graphs in which the horizontal axis indicates thewidth L of the stripe-like electrode 8, and the vertical axis indicatesthe space width S of the space 10, and the values of the respectivedrawings A are plotted. As is apparent from FIGS. 11B to 14B, it isunderstood that in any cases, by making the pattern width L of thestripe-like electrode 8 larger than the space width S of the space 10,the rate of change of transmissivity becomes small. Besides, whenresults of the other conditions described here are considered together,it is understood that if the pattern width L is made large and the spacewidth S is made small, the rate of change is improved.

[0168] Incidentally, FIGS. 11A to 14B show the data of the rate ofchange of transmissivity in the case where polymer fixed liquid crystalis not used.

[0169] From the experimental results, it is understood that even in theliquid crystal panels using the same minute pattern electrodes, thetendency of the rate of change of transmissivity with respect to thepattern change is slightly different between the LCD using the polymerfixed liquid crystal and the LCD not using the polymer fixed liquidcrystal.

[0170]FIG. 84 shows the rate of change of transmissivity of thenon-polymer-fixed panel and the rate of change of transmissivity of thepolymer-fixed panel by comparison. FIG. 84 shows the rate of change oftransmissivity of the non-polymer-fixed panel, and its left column showsrespective graphs in the case where the applied voltage is 2.5 V, 3 V,and 10 V in order from the above. Besides, correspondingly to the leftcolumn, the right column shows graphs concerning the rate of change oftransmissivity of the polymer-fixed panel (polymerization voltage=10 V),in the case where the applied voltage is 2.5 V, 3 V, and 10 V in orderfrom the above.

[0171] As is apparent from FIG. 84, the values of the space width S atwhich the rate of change becomes minimum at a halftone display aredifferent from each other. In the case where the polymer fixed liquidcrystal is not used, as the space width S becomes small, the rate ofchange becomes small, however, in the case where the polymer fixedliquid crystal is used, the rate of change in the vicinity of the spacewidth S=3.25 μm is minimum, and it is preferable that the space width Sis S=2.5 μm or more.

[0172] It is conceivable that the cause is that the alignment stateobtained by voltage application (here, application of 10 V) at the timeof polymerization of monomer material exerts an influence upon thealignment state after the polymerization. The last line of FIG. 84 showsgraphs of the rate of change of transmissivity at the time ofapplication of 10 V. Contrary to the tendency at the halftone, when thepattern width L is large and the space width S is small, the rate ofchange is large. It is conceivable that since monomers are polymerizedin this state, the influence of the alignment state at the time ofpolymerization appears on the display at the halftone or the like afterthe polymerization.

[0173] Incidentally, at the time of the halftone display, the tendencythat the rate of change becomes large when the space width S is largerthan the pattern width L is common to both. Besides, as typified by thecase where the minute electrode pattern as described above is used, inthe mode where the alignment state at the time of driving is unstable ifit remains unchanged, speeding-up by polymer fixation is furthereffective. FIG. 85 shows, in the mode including the stripe-likeelectrode as mentioned above, the relation between the attainedtransmissivity and the rising time in an LCD including a polymer unfixedliquid crystal and an LCD including a polymer fixed liquid crystal. Asshown in FIG. 85, in the case where polymer fixation is not performed,the alignment of liquid crystal at the time of voltage application isgreatly disturbed, and consequently, the response is very slow. However,since the alignment of the liquid crystal is determined by performingthe polymer fixation, a great improvement of the response is realized.

EXAMPLE 1-6

[0174] This example will be described with reference to FIG. 15. Thisexample is the same as the example 1-5 except for the followingrequirements. A liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 15 includes a pixelelectrode 40 having a shape different from the pixel electrode shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B and 5. In the pixel electrode 40, an electrode cut region(space 10) is not formed in a pixel region. Instead thereof, linearprotrusions 42 each made of a dielectric are formed on the pixelelectrode 40 correspondingly to the spaces 10 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.A vertical alignment film 32 is formed on the pixel electrode 40 and thelinear protrusions 42.

[0175] A width S of the linear protrusion 42 is made smaller than anelectrode exposure width L between the adjacent linear protrusions 42.Specifically, the widths are conventionally L=3 μm and S=3 μm, whereasthe widths are L=4 μm and S=2 μm in this example. Since the space 10shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and the linear protrusion 42 have almostequivalent alignment regulating effects, also in this example, the rateof change of transmissivity can be made small through the same effect asthe example 1-5. Incidentally, photosensitive acryl resin was used asthe dielectric material, and the height H of the linear protrusion 42was made about 0.3 μm.

EXAMPLE 1-7

[0176] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.This example is the same as the example 1-5 except for the followingrequirements. A liquid crystal panel shown in FIG. 16 includes a pixelelectrode 46 having a shape different from the pixel electrode shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B and 15. In the pixel electrode 46, an electrode cut region(space 10) is not formed in a pixel region. Instead thereof, linearprotrusions 44 each made of a dielectric are formed at a lower layer ofthe pixel electrode 46 correspondingly to the spaces 10 shown in FIGS.4A and 4B. Accordingly, the pixel electrode 46 has an electrodestructure including a conductive protrusion. A vertical alignment film32 is formed on the pixel electrode 46.

[0177] A width of the conductive protrusion was made L, a width of aconductive groove between the adjacent conductive protrusions was madeS, and the case of L=3 μm and S=3 μm and the case of L=4 μm and S=2 μmwere compared with the simulation example in the case of the combinationof the stripe-like electrode 8 and the space 10 shown in FIGS. 11A and11B of the example 1-5. FIG. 17 shows comparison results. As shown inFIG. 17, it is understood that the change of transmissivity in theelectrode structure of the conductive protrusion is remarkably small,and the structure is such that roughness caused by the fluctuation ofthe pattern is hard to produce.

EXAMPLE 1-8

[0178] This example will be described using FIG. 6 again. This exampleis the same as the example 1-5 except for the following requirements. Asshown in FIG. 6, the width of a drain bus line 6 was continuouslychanged. The width was made thin in the vicinity of an intersection ofthe drain bus line 6 and a gate bus line 4, and was made thick in thevicinity of the center between the gate bus lines 4. The width of thethin portion was made 3 μm, and the width of the thick portion was made15 μm. Since the directionality of the liquid crystal alignment on thedrain bus line 6 becomes stable, the luminance and the unevenness ofdisplay can be improved.

EXAMPLE 1-9

[0179] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 19B.This example is the same as the example 1-5 except for the followingrequirements. FIG. 18 shows a display state in the case where liquidcrystal molecules 24 a in a pixel are ideally aligned in the pixelincluding the pixel electrode of the combination of the stripe-likeelectrodes 8 and the spaces 10 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As shown inFIG. 18, dark lines X1 appear on a gate bus line 4, a drain bus line 6,connection electrodes 12 and 14, and a storage capacitance bus line 18,and further, the dark line X1 also appears at the peripheral portion ofthe pixel electrode constituted by the stripe-like electrodes 8 and thespaces 10.

[0180] In FIG. 18, a “∘” mark 52 denotes a singular point (−1) of analignment vector, and a “” mark 50 denotes a singular point (+1) of analignment vector. Incidentally, in the state shown in the drawing, twopolarizing plates bonded to both surfaces of the liquid crystal panelare arranged in crossed Nicols, the directions of the polarization axesof those are directions shown by cruciform arrows of FIG. 18, and aretilted by 45° with respect to the main alignment orientation of theliquid crystal molecule on the display region.

[0181] On the other hand, in the construction of this example shown inFIGS. 19A and 19B, an insulating layer 56 thicker than a conventionalone was formed. FIG. 19A shows a state viewed in the direction of anormal of a substrate surface, and FIG. 19B shows a section on the sideof an array substrate taken along line C-C of FIG. 19A. As shown inFIGS. 19A and 19B, the stripe-like electrodes 8 are formed on theinsulating layer 56, and the ends are formed to partially overlap withthe drain bus line 6 when viewed in the direction of the normal of thesubstrate surface. Photosensitive acryl resin was used as the materialof the insulating layer 56, and the film thickness was made 3 μm.

[0182] Incidentally, a color filter layer may be formed on the side ofthe array substrate (CF on TFT structure), and the color filter layermay be used instead of the insulating layer 56. Besides, as shown inFIG. 19B, a thick insulating layer may be naturally formed by stacking acolor filter layer 54 and the insulating layer 56 (in this case, thesubstrate may be flattened by the insulating layer 56). By adopting theconstruction of this example, the influence of an oblique electric fieldfrom the drain bus line 6 to the liquid crystal layer 24 becomes weak,and the liquid crystal molecules 24 a are aligned by receiving only theinfluence of the stripe-like electrodes 8 and the spaces 10. By this,each of the dark lines X1 on the gate bus line 4 and the drain bus line6 unites with each of the dark lines X1 of the peripheral portion of thepixel electrode constituted by the stripe-like electrodes 8 and thespaces 10 to form only one dark line. Thus, the luminance can beimproved by the decrease in the number of the dark lines X1.

[0183] As described above, according to this embodiment, the displaycharacteristics of the liquid crystal display can be greatly improved inwhich monomers that are polymerized by heat or light are polymerized andthe pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecule and/or the tiltdirection at the time of voltage application is regulated.

[0184] The present invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiments, and various modifications may be made. For example, theabove embodiments relates to the LCD having n-channel TFTs, however, theinvention is obviously applicable to the LCD having p-channel TFTs.

[0185] Therefore, the above object can be achieved by a method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having p-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates,and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and the polymerizable component is polymerized at astage of the voltage application condition 2;

[0186] the voltage application condition 1: Vg<Vd (dc)=Vc, and

[0187] the voltage application condition 2: Vc<Vd (dc),

[0188] where,

[0189] Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line,

[0190] Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode, and

[0191] Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to a drainbus line.

[0192] Also, the above object can be achieved by a method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having p-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates,and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and further, the voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer under a voltage application condition 3, and thepolymerizable component is polymerized at a stage of the voltageapplication condition 3;

[0193] the voltage application condition 1: Vg<Vd (dc)=Vc, Vd (ac)=0,

[0194] the voltage application condition 2: Vc<Vd (dc), and

[0195] the voltage application condition 3: while Vc is made to approachVd (dc), Vd (ac) is gradually made higher than 0,

[0196] where,

[0197] Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line,

[0198] Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode,

[0199] Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to a drainbus line, and

[0200] Vd (ac): applied voltage (alternating component) to the drain busline.

[0201] Also, the above object can be achieved by a method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having p-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates,and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and further, the voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer under a voltage application condition 3, and thepolymerizable component is polymerized at a stage of the voltageapplication condition 3;

[0202] the voltage application condition 1: Vg<Vd (dc)=Vc,

[0203] the voltage application condition 2: Vc<Vd (dc), and

[0204] the voltage application condition 3: Vg is increased and is madeto approach Vd (dc),

[0205] where,

[0206] Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line,

[0207] Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode, and

[0208] Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to a drainbus line.

[0209] Also, the above object can be achieved by a method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having p-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates,and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and next, the voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer under a voltage application condition 3, and further, thevoltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 4, and the polymerizable component is polymerizedat a stage of the voltage application condition 4;

[0210] the voltage application condition 1: Vg<Vd (dc)=Vc, Vd (ac)=0,

[0211] the voltage application condition 2: Vc<Vd (dc),

[0212] the voltage application condition 3: while Vc is made to approachVd (dc), Vd (ac) is gradually made higher than 0, and

[0213] the voltage application condition 4: Vg is increased and is madeto approach Vd (dc),

[0214] where,

[0215] Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line,

[0216] Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode,

[0217] Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to a drainbus line, and

[0218] Vd (ac): applied voltage (alternating component) to the drain busline.

[0219] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display havingp-channel TFTs described above, when the applied voltage Vg to the gatebus line is decreased and is made to approach the applied voltage(direct current component) Vd (dc) to the drain bus line, the appliedvoltage Vg is made equal to the applied voltage Vd (dc).

[0220] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display havingp-channel TFTs described above, at a time of voltage application ofVc<Vd (dc), a value of Vc−Vd(dc) is once made lower than a desiredvoltage, and then, the voltage is uppered to the desired voltage.

[0221] In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display havingp-channel TFTs described above, the applied voltage Vg to the gate busline is a direct-current voltage.

[0222] [Second Embodiment]

[0223] Next, a liquid crystal display according to a second embodimentof the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 22A to 45. The TN mode which wasconventionally the main current of an active matrix type LCD has adefect that an angle of view is narrow. Then, at present, techniquescalled an MVA mode and an IPS mode (In-Plane-Switching mode) are adoptedfor an LCD of a wide angle of view.

[0224] In the IPS mode, a liquid crystal molecule is switched by a combelectrode in a horizontal plane, however, since the comb electroderemarkably lowers the opening ratio of a pixel, a backlight of highoptical intensity becomes necessary. In the MVA mode, liquid crystal isaligned vertically to the substrate, and the alignment of a liquidcrystal molecule is regulated by a protrusion or a slit provided in atransparent electrode (ITO).

[0225] Although a drop in the substantial opening ratio of a pixel bythe protrusion or the slit in the MVA mode is not more than that by thecomb electrode, as compared with the TN mode, the light transmissivityof a liquid crystal panel is low. Thus, in the present circumstances,the MVA-LCD is not adopted for a book-size personal computer whichrequires a low power consumption.

[0226] In the present MVA-LCD, for realizing a wide angle of view, thelinear protrusions or the slits obtained by linearly cutting away partof a pixel electrode are complicatedly arranged in a pixel so that theliquid crystal molecules fall down in four directions at the time ofvoltage application. Thus, the light transmissivity of the pixel becomeslow. A description will be given of a case where in order to improvethis, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, straight linear protrusions aresimply arranged at wide intervals in parallel with each other.

[0227]FIGS. 22A and 22B show an MVA-LCD including half divided alignmentregions. FIG. 22A shows a state in which one pixel 2 of the MVA-LCD isviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface. FIG. 22Bshows a section taken along a line parallel with a drain bus line 6 ofthe MVA-LCD shown in FIG. 22A. Incidentally, in the subsequentdescription of the embodiment, a structural element having the sameoperation and function as a structural element explained before isdesignated by the same symbol and its explanation is omitted. FIG. 22Ashows three pixels 2 continuously connected to one gate bus line 4. Asshown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, two linear protrusions 68 extending inparallel with the gate bus line 4 are formed in the vicinity of both endportions of a pixel electrode 3 on the side of the gate bus line 4.Besides, on a common electrode on the side of an opposite substrate, alinear protrusion 66 extending in parallel with the gate bus line 4 isformed at a position including the center of the pixel. Incidentally, onthe side of the array substrate, an insulating film (gate insulatingfilm) 23 is formed on a glass substrate 20 and the gate bus line 4, andan insulating film 22 is formed thereon.

[0228] By this construction, when a voltage is applied between a pixelelectrode 3 and a common electrode 26 and an electric field distributionin a liquid crystal layer 24 is changed, liquid crystal molecules 24 ahaving a negative dielectric anisotropy are tilted in two directions.That is, the liquid crystal molecules 24 a are tilted toward the linearprotrusion 66 on the side of the opposite substrate from the linearprotrusions 68 of both ends of the pixel 2 on the side of the gate busline 4. By this, an upper and lower half divided multiple domain isformed. In the MVA mode, the tilt direction is regulated in order fromthe liquid crystal molecules 24 a in the vicinity of the linearprotrusions 66 and 68 (or in the vicinity of the slit) by the electricfield generated by the linear protrusions (or slits). Accordingly, asshown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, if the interval between the linearprotrusions (or slits) is very wide, it takes a time to propagate thetilt of the liquid crystal molecule 24 a, so that the response of thepanel when voltage is applied becomes very slow.

[0229] Then, the polymer fixation system has been adopted which uses theliquid crystal layer 24 containing a polymerizable monomer instead of aconventional liquid crystal material. In the polymer fixation system,monomers are polymerized into polymers in the state where a voltage isapplied to the liquid crystal layer 24, so that the direction of thetilt of the liquid crystal molecule 24 a is memorized in the polymer.

[0230] However, even if the voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer 24 in the construction of FIGS. 22A and 22B, the liquid crystalmolecule 24 a in the vicinity of the drain bus line 6 falls down in thedirection different from an intended tilt direction by 90° by theelectric field generated at the end portion of the pixel electrode 3 inthe vicinity of the drain bus line 6. Thus, even if the polymer fixationsystem is used, as in a microscopic observation view of FIG. 23, a largedark portion X1 is seen along the drain bus line 6 in each of thedisplay pixels 2.

[0231] Then, in this embodiment, a pixel electrode 3 on the side of anarray substrate in which a TFT 16 is provided is made a stripe-likeelectrode of a line and space pattern. As an example, FIG. 24 shows anexample in which the one pixel 2 of the MVA-LCD according to thisembodiment is viewed in the direction of the normal of the substratesurface. As shown in FIG. 24, the pixel electrode 3 includes thestripe-like electrodes 8 and the spaces 10 in which the line and spacepattern is formed in parallel with the drain bus line 6.

[0232] In general, an alignment regulating force by an alignment film isexerted on only the liquid crystal molecule 24 a in contact with thealignment film, and is not exerted on the liquid crystal molecule at thecenter portion in the cell gap direction. Thus, the liquid crystalmolecule 24 a of the center portion in the cell gap direction greatlyreceives the influence of the electric field generated at the endportion of the pixel and the alignment orientation is disturbed. Whenthe pixel electrode 3 including the stripe-like electrodes 8 and thespaces 10 parallel with the drain bus line 6 is adopted, the liquidcrystal molecules 24 a fall down in parallel with the stripe-likeelectrodes 8 and the spaces 10. Besides, since the tilt directions ofall the liquid crystal molecules 24 a are determined by the stripe-likeelectrodes 8 and the spaces 10, the influence of the electric fieldgenerated at the end portion of the pixel can be suppressed to aminimum.

[0233] A liquid crystal display according to this embodiment and amethod of manufacturing the same will be specifically described belowusing examples. First, conditions common to all examples are listedbelow;

[0234] orientation film: vertical orientation film;

[0235] liquid crystal: having a negative dielectric anisotropy;

[0236] polarizing plate: arranged at both sides of a liquid crystalpanel in crossed Nicols and realizing a normally-black mode;

[0237] polarization axis of polarizing plate: direction of 45° withrespect to a bus line;

[0238] liquid crystal panel: 15 inches in diagonal; and

[0239] resolution: XGA.

EXAMPLE 2-1

[0240] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 27.FIG. 24 shows a state in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD according tothis example is viewed in the direction of a normal of a substratesurface, and FIG. 25 shows a sectional shape taken along line D-D ofFIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 24, a pixel electrode 3 includes stripe-likeelectrodes 8 and spaces 10 in which a line and space pattern is formedin parallel with a drain bus line 6. The respective stripe-likeelectrodes 8 are electrically connected to each other by a connectionelectrode 64 formed at the substantially center portion of the pixel 2and in parallel with a gate bus line 4. Besides, part of the stripe-likeelectrodes 8 are connected to a source electrode 62 arranged opposite toa drain electrode 60 of a TFT 16.

[0241] As shown in FIG. 25, a linear protrusion 66 extending in parallelwith the gate bus line 4 is formed on the side of an opposite substrateat a position opposite to the connection electrode 64 of the centerportion of the pixel region. The alignment regulating direction of theliquid crystal molecule 24 a can be more remarkably determined by thelinear protrusion 66.

[0242] Instead of providing the linear protrusion 66 on the side of theopposite substrate, a rubbing processing may be naturally performed tothe alignment film on the side of the array substrate or on the side ofthe opposite substrate. In this case, as indicated by arrows shown inFIG. 25, the rubbing processing on the side of the array substrate isperformed toward the connection electrode 64 in both regions B and Cshown in FIG. 24. The rubbing processing on the side of the oppositesubstrate is performed in the direction of going away from theconnection electrode 64. Besides, it is also possible to use opticalalignment.

[0243] Incidentally, there is a case where an alignment disturbanceoccurs such that the tilt direction of a liquid crystal molecule 24 b ina region A surrounded by a broken line in the vicinity of a TFT 16 shownin FIG. 24 becomes reverse to that of the liquid crystal molecule 24 aof a region B as shown in FIG. 25. By this alignment disturbance, a darkportion is formed in the region A at the time of voltage application tothe liquid crystal layer 24. FIG. 26 shows a modified example forimproving this. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 26, twolinear protrusions 68 extending in parallel with a gate bus line 4 areformed in the vicinity of both end portions of a pixel electrode 3 onthe side of the gate bus line 4. When the linear protrusion 68 isprovided over the gate bus line and between the gate bus line 4 and thepixel electrode 3, the direction in which the liquid crystal molecule 24b of the region A falls down can be made the same direction as theliquid crystal molecule 24 a of the region B.

[0244] The construction of the modified example of FIG. 26 was used, andin the state where the liquid crystal molecule 24 a in the pixel 2 wastilted in a predetermined direction by applying a voltage to the liquidcrystal layer 24, light was irradiated to the liquid crystal added witha photo-polymerizable monomer to polymerize the monomer, and thefixation of the pretilt angle and/or the alignment orientation of theliquid crystal molecule 24 a was realized. When a display was effectedon the completed MVA-LCD and the display region was observed, light wastransmitted through the whole pixel portion, and in a T-V characteristicdiagram of FIG. 27, as indicated by a curved line of a solid line, thetransmissivity could be improved as compared with a conventional LCDindicated by a broken line.

EXAMPLE 2-2

[0245] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 31.FIG. 28 shows a state in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD according tothis example is viewed in the direction of a normal of a substratesurface, and FIG. 29 shows a sectional shape taken along line E-E ofFIG. 28. As shown in FIG. 28, a pixel electrode 3 includes stripe-likeelectrodes 8 and spaces 10 in which a line and space pattern is formedin parallel with a drain bus line 6. The respective stripe-likeelectrodes 8 are electrically connected to each other by two connectionelectrodes 64 formed in parallel with a gate bus line 4 at upper andlower ends of a pixel 2. Besides, the connection electrode 64 at theupper portion in the drawing is connected to a source electrode 62 of aTFT 16.

[0246] As shown in FIG. 29, a linear protrusion 68 extending in parallelwith the gate bus line 4 is formed on the pixel electrode 3 at thecenter portion of a pixel region. The alignment orientations in regionsA and B are made the same by the linear protrusion 68, whereas thealignment orientation of a region C can be made opposite to that of theregions A and B. The liquid crystal alignment orientations in theregions B and C of this example become reverse to the liquid crystalalignment orientations of the regions B and C in the example 2-1.

[0247] Instead of providing the linear protrusion 68 on the pixelelectrode 3, a rubbing processing may be naturally performed to analignment film on the side of an array substrate or on the side of anopposite substrate. In this case, as indicated by arrows shown in FIG.29, on the side of the array substrate, rubbing is performed toward theoutside connection electrodes 64 in both the regions B and C shown inFIG. 28. On the side of the opposite substrate, rubbing is performedfrom the connection electrodes 64 to the center portion of the pixel.Besides, optical alignment can also be used.

[0248] Incidentally, there is a case where an alignment disturbance asshown in FIG. 29 occurs in a liquid crystal molecule 24 b of regions Dsurrounded by broken lines in the vicinity of the two connectionelectrodes 64 shown in FIG. 28. By this alignment disturbance, a darkportion is formed in the region D at the time of voltage application toa liquid crystal layer 24. FIG. 30 shows a modified example forimproving this. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 30, twolinear protrusions 66 extending in parallel with a gate bus line 4 areformed on the side of an opposite substrate at positions opposite toconnection electrodes 64 in the vicinity of both end portions of a pixelelectrode 3 on the side of the gate bus line 4. When the linearprotrusion 66 is disposed between the gate bus line 4 and the pixelelectrode 3 when viewed in the direction of a normal of a substratesurface, the direction in which the liquid crystal molecule 24 b of theregion D falls down can be made the same direction as the liquid crystalmolecule 24 a of the region B or the region C.

[0249] The construction of the modified example of FIG. 30 was used, andin the state where the liquid crystal molecule 24 a in the pixel 2 wastilted in a predetermined direction by applying a voltage to the liquidcrystal layer 24, light was irradiated to the liquid crystal added witha photo-polymerizable monomer to polymerize the monomer, and thefixation of the pretilt angle and/or the alignment orientation of theliquid crystal molecule 24 a was realized. When a display was effectedon the completed MVA-LCD and the display region was observed, light wastransmitted through the whole pixel portion, and in a T-V characteristicdiagram of FIG. 31, as indicated by a curved line of a thick solid line,the transmissivity could be improved as compared with a conventional LCDindicated by a thin solid line.

EXAMPLE 2-3

[0250] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 34.FIG. 32 shows a state in which two adjacent pixels 2 of an MVA-LCDaccording to this example are viewed in the direction of a normal of asubstrate surface. The structure of a pixel electrode 3 according tothis example is the same as the example 2-1. This example ischaracterized in that an electric field shielding electrode 70 isprovided which decreases a horizontal electric field generated between astripe-like electrode 8 on the side of a drain bus line 6 of the pixelelectrode 3 and the drain bus line 6. As shown in a sectional view ofFIG. 33, the electric field shielding electrode 70 is formed below aregion between the stripe-like electrode 8 at the end portion of thedrain bus line 6 of the pixel electrode 3 and the drain bus line 6 andby using gate formation metal at the same time as the gate bus line 4.

[0251]FIG. 33 is a view showing the arrangement position of the electricfield shielding electrode 70 and the operation. A voltage is applied tothe pixel electrode 3 and the electric field shielding electrode 70, andas shown in FIG. 33, equipotential lines almost parallel with thesubstrate surface are generated in the array substrate. By doing so, asshown in an ellipse 72 of a broken line in FIG. 33, it is possible toprevent the generation of the horizontal electric field in the regionbetween the stripe-like electrode 8 at the end portion of the drain busline 6 and the drain bus line 6. The equipotential lines and liquidcrystal directors are shown in FIG. 33, and it is understood that theequipotential lines are almost parallel with the substrate surface inthe ellipse 72, and the directors are almost perpendicular to thesubstrate surface.

[0252] Monomers in the liquid crystal layer 24 are polymerized in thisstate. After the monomers are polymerized, the electric field shieldingelectrode 70 is electrically connected to a common electrode 26 and isused as a storage capacitance electrode. Since the direction in whichthe liquid crystal molecules 24 a falls down is determined by thepolymerized polymer, it hardly receives the influence of the electricfield generated at the end of the pixel. When a display was effected onthe completed MVA-LCD and the display region was observed, light wastransmitted through the whole pixel portion, and in a T-V characteristicdiagram of FIG. 34, as indicated by a curved line of a thick solid line,the transmissivity could be improved as compared with a conventional LCDindicated by a thin solid line.

EXAMPLE 2-4

[0253] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 and 36.FIG. 35 shows a state in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD according tothis example is viewed in the direction of a normal of a substratesurface. The construction of a pixel electrode 3 according to thisexample is the same as the example 2-1.

[0254] This example is characterized in that an alignment orientation onan alignment film on a region 74 indicated by a broken line at an endportion of the pixel electrode 3 in the vicinity of a drain bus line 6is made to have a direction different from that at the center portion ofthe pixel. As shown in FIG. 35, liquid crystal molecules 24 a are tilteddownward on the paper plane (downward thick arrow) in a pixel regionabove the center portion of the pixel in the drawing, and are tiltedupward on the paper plane (upward thick arrow) in a lower pixel region.On the other hand, in the region 74, an alignment processing isperformed so that an alignment orientation (thin arrow) is inclined atapproximately 45° with respect to the extension direction of theadjacent drain bus line 6. In this example, ultraviolet light wasirradiated to perform an alignment processing.

[0255] When a voltage is applied to a pixel, the alignment direction ofa liquid crystal molecule is determined by balance of both of thealignment processing and the electric field. By this, since the liquidcrystal molecule 24 a of the end region 74 of the pixel electrode 3 alsofalls down in the direction almost parallel to the drain bus line 6,light can be transmitted through the whole pixel electrode.

[0256] In this state, monomers in the liquid crystal layer 24 arepolymerized. Since the direction in which the liquid crystal molecule 24a falls down is determined by a polymerized polymer, it hardly receivesthe influence of an electric field generated at the end of the pixel.When a display was effected on the completed MVA-LCD and the displayregion was observed, light was transmitted through the whole pixelportion, and in a T-V characteristic diagram of FIG. 36, as indicated bya curved line of a thick solid line, the transmissivity could beimproved as compared with a conventional LCD indicated by a thin solidline.

EXAMPLE 2-5

[0257] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 40.FIG. 37 shows a state in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD according tothis example is viewed in the direction of a normal of a substratesurface. Although the structure of a pixel electrode 3 of this exampleis the same as the example 2-1, this example is characterized in thatthe width of a gap 76 between a drain bus line 6 and a pixel electrode 3is made equal to the width of a space 10 in the pixel electrode 3.

[0258]FIG. 38 shows a construction in which the gap 76 between the drainbus line 6 and the pixel electrode 3 is wide. When the width of theregion 76 along the substrate surface is made “a”, and the width of thespace 10 is made “b”, a>b is satisfied. Since capacitance between thedrain bus line 6 and the pixel electrode 3becomes the cause of crosstalk, the gap 76 is generally made wide. However, when a voltage isapplied to the liquid crystal layer 24, a liquid crystal molecule 24 ain a region 76 a indicated by an ellipse over the gap 76 falls down inthe direction perpendicular to the drain bus line 6, and a dark portionappears in the pixel. On the other hand, in a region 10 a over the space10 in the pixel electrode 3, a liquid crystal molecule 24 a is tilted inparallel with the extension direction of the space.

[0259] Then, as shown in FIG. 39, the gap 76 is made close to the widthof the space 10 to satisfy a≅b, and the liquid crystal molecule 24 a inthe region 76 a is also made to fall down in the direction parallel withthe drain bus line 6. By doing so, since the area of the pixel electrode3 can also be widened, there is an effect that the transmissivity can beimproved double as shown in FIG. 39. In order to suppress the crosstalk, as shown in FIG. 39, an electric field shielding electrode 70 ofthe example 2-3 has only to be provided in a lower layer of the gap 76.

[0260] In this construction, a voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer 24 and monomers in the liquid crystal layer 24 are polymerized.Since the direction in which the liquid crystal molecule 24 a falls downis determined by the polymerized polymer in the completed MVA-LCD, ithardly receives the influence of an electric field generated at the endof the pixel when an image is displayed. When a display was effected onthe completed MVA-LCD and the display region was observed, light wastransmitted through the whole pixel portion, and in a T-V characteristicdiagram of FIG. 40, as indicated by a curved line of a solid line, thetransmissivity could be improved as compared with a conventional LCDindicated by a broken line.

EXAMPLE 2-6

[0261] This example will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 45.FIG. 41 shows a state in which one pixel 2 of an MVA-LCD according tothis example is viewed in the direction of a normal of a substratesurface. The structure of a pixel electrode 3 of this example ischaracterized in that a line and space pattern constituted bystripe-like electrodes 8 and spaces 10 is formed in parallel with a gatebus line 4. In order to produce alignment division in two directions ofright and left directions in the drawing, a connection electrode 64 isprovided at the right side in the upper half of the pixel, and aconnection electrode 64 is provided at the left side in the lower halfof the pixel. By doing so, the alignment of a liquid crystal moleculetilted in a direction perpendicular to a drain bus line 6 by ahorizontal electric field generated at the end of the pixel electrodeparallel with the drain bus line 6 can be actively used. Incidentally,the connection electrodes 64 may be naturally provided at the left sidein the upper half of the pixel and at the right side in the lower halfof the pixel.

[0262]FIG. 42 shows a section taken along line F-F of FIG. 41. FIG. 43shows a section taken along line G-G of FIG. 41. As shown in FIGS. 42and 43, a linear protrusion 66 is formed on an opposite substratebetween the drain bus lines 6 adjacent to the two connection electrodes64. By forming the linear protrusion 66, the influence of an electricfield between the connection electrode 64 and the adjacent drain busline 6 can be eliminated. Further, in order to ensure the alignmentdirection, as indicated by a thick outlined arrow of FIG. 44, on theside of the array substrate, rubbing may be performed from the sidewhere the connection electrode 64 is not provided toward the side of theconnection electrode 64, and on the side of the opposite substrate,rubbing may be performed in the direction opposite to the arrow.Besides, an optical alignment processing may be performed.

[0263] In this construction, a voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer 24 to polymerize monomers in the liquid crystal layer 24. In thecompleted MVA-LCD, since the direction in which the liquid crystalmolecule 24 a falls down is determined by the polymerized polymer, ithardly receives the influence of the electric field generated at the endof the pixel when an image is displayed. When a display was effected onthe completed MVA-LCD and the display region was observed, light wastransmitted through the whole pixel portion, and in a T-V characteristicdiagram of FIG. 45, as indicated by a curved line of a thick solid line,the transmissivity could be improved as compared with a conventional LCDindicated by a thin solid line.

[0264] [Third Embodiment]

[0265] Next, a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment ofthe present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 46A to 48. This embodiment relates toan improvement of the MVA-LCD of the second embodiment. According to thesecond embodiment, a large dark portion X1 as indicated in the pixelmicroscopic observation view of FIG. 23 can be reduced using thestripe-like electrode pattern, however, a dark portion X1 slightlyremains over the stripe-like electrode 8 closest to the drain bus line 6and the gap 76.

[0266]FIGS. 46A to 46E are views for explaining a tilting operation of aliquid crystal molecule 24 a. FIG. 46A shows a state in which a pixelelectrode 3 having no slit and the liquid crystal molecule 24 a areviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface, and FIG. 46Bshows a state in which they are viewed in the direction of a section ofthe substrate. As shown in FIGS. 46A and 46B, when a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal molecule 24 a, the major axis of the liquidcrystal molecule 24 a is tilted in the direction perpendicular to theend side of the pixel electrode 3. For example, the liquid crystalmolecule 24 a in the vicinity of the end side of the pixel electrode 3parallel with the drain bus line 6 falls down in the directionperpendicular to the extension direction of the drain bus line 6.

[0267]FIG. 46C shows a state in which a pixel electrode 3 formed of aline and space pattern and constituted by stripe-like electrodes 8 andspaces 10, and a liquid crystal molecule 24 a are viewed in thedirection of a normal of a substrate surface, and FIG. 46D shows a statein which they are viewed in the direction of a section of the substrate.As shown in FIGS. 46C and 46D, when a voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal molecule 24 a, the major axis of the liquid crystal molecule 24a is tilted in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the patternof the stripe-like electrodes 8 and the spaces 10.

[0268] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 46E, when the stripe-like electrode8 is provided in parallel with a drain bus line 6, the direction oftilting of the major axis of the liquid crystal molecule 24 a on thestripe-like electrode 8 and that in the vicinity of the drain bus line 6are different from each other by 90°. Thus, a liquid crystal molecule 24a pointing to the direction of 45° with respect to the drain bus line 6is produced as shown in an elliptical region 78 of FIG. 46E, and becomesparallel with the polarization axis of a polarizing plate, so that adark portion is observed.

[0269] Then, in this embodiment, in order to basically eliminate theinfluence of the electric field generated at the end of the pixel and tosuppress the region of the dark portion to a minimum, an electrode widtha′ of the stripe-like electrode 8 closest to the drain bus line 6 ismade thinner than an electrode width b′ of the stripe-like electrode 8at the center portion of the pixel.

[0270] Incidentally, if the electrode width a′ of the stripe-likeelectrode 8 is excessively thin, there is a possibility that thestripe-like electrode 8 is broken or is short-circuited to the adjacentstripe-like electrode 8. Then, the width of the stripe-like electrode 8and the space 10 are set to be from 0.5 μm to 5 μm.

[0271] The liquid crystal display according to this embodiment and themethod of manufacturing the same will be specifically described belowusing examples. First, conditions of the following examples are the sameas the conditions of the examples in the second embodiment.

EXAMPLE 3-1

[0272] When the distance between the stripe-like electrode 8 and thedrain bus line 6 is short as in the example 2-5 of the secondembodiment, there is a case where capacitance between the pixelelectrode 3 and the drain bus line 6 becomes large, and cross talk isgenerated. In this case, since the distance between the stripe-likeelectrode 8 and the drain bus line 6 can not be shortened, the region ofthe dark portion Xl can be made a minimum by narrowing the width ofstripe-like electrode 8′ closest to the drain bus line 6. FIG. 47exemplifies a case where a connection electrode 64 is provided at thecenter of a pixel. FIG. 48 exemplifies a case where a connectionelectrode 64 is provided on the side of a gate bus line 4.

EXAMPLE 3-2

[0273] In the example 3-1, in order to prevent the cross talk, theelectric field shielding electrode 70 described in the example 2-3 orthe example 2-5 of the second embodiment can be used.

[0274] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0275] Next, a liquid crystal display according to a fourth embodimentof the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 49 to 62. This embodiment relates toan improvement in characteristics of a high display quality MVA-LCD. Asan information equipment becomes popular in recent years, a displaypanel is required to have high performance. Thus, an MVA-LCD excellentin display quality is often used. However, the MVA-LCD has a problemthat a response from the time of no voltage application (at the time ofblack display of a normally-black mode) to the time of low voltageapplication (halftone) is slow.

[0276] As shown in FIG. 49, in a conventional MVA-LCD, alignmentregulating structural members (for example, linear protrusions 66 and68) for regulating the tilt directions of liquid crystal molecules 24 aare locally distributed (unevenly distributed). Since the alignmentregulating structural members are locally distributed, in a region wherethere is not a structure for regulating a tilt direction and a tiltangle θp of the liquid crystal molecule 24 a as shown in FIG. 50, ittakes a time to propagate the tilt of a liquid crystal alignment.Further, if a boundary of alignment is formed on the structural memberfor regulating the tilt direction, a dark line is formed around thestructural member, and the transmissivity is lowered. As stated above,in the construction in which means for regulating the tilt direction isarranged dispersedly, there is a problem that the liquid crystalalignment at the time of low voltage application is unstable.

[0277] Accordingly, since it takes a time for the liquid crystal of thewhole pixel to make a response, there arises a problem that it takes along time to change a black display (vertical alignment state) to ahalftone display (tilt alignment state). Especially, in the case wherethe halftone display has a low gradation, since the propagation of theliquid crystal alignment tilt becomes slow, the response time becomesthree or more times as long as a normal time. However, in the alignmentof the case where polymer fixation has been made, the tilt directions ofall portions in the pixel are previously determined. Accordingly, in anymodes in which the alignment is changed while the tilt direction of theliquid crystal is propagated and the response becomes slow under normalconditions, the polymer fixation realizes a great improvement in theresponse. FIG. 86 shows the relation between the gradation and therising time in an LCD including a polymer unfixed liquid crystal and anLCD including a polymer fixed liquid crystal. It is understood that theresponse speed higher by a factor of two to three times can be obtainedby applying the polymer fixation to the normal MVA-LCD. Besides, asanother problem, since the transmissivity is lowered, the displaybecomes dark. As stated above, in the construction in which tiltalignment is dispersed, there is a problem that the response property isdeteriorated and the luminance is lowered because the liquid crystalalignment at the time of low voltage application is unstable.

[0278] This embodiment provides the MVA-LCD in which the response timeis shortened without lowering the transmissivity, and the liquid crystalalignment at the time of low voltage application is fixed. Especially,in the polymer fixed alignment as the basic construction of thisembodiment, since the tilt directions of all portions concerning displayare previously determined, in any pixel structures in which the tiltdirection of the liquid crystal must be propagated under normalconditions, remarkable speeding-up can be achieved.

[0279]FIG. 51 is a structural view of this embodiment. In the drawing,3×3=9 arrangement regions 80 arranged in a matrix form are exemplified.In the respective arrangement regions 80, structural members havingdirectionality in the direction of a substrate surface or slits obtainedby cutting an electrode (hereinafter referred to as directionalstructural members) are arranged. If a directional structure similar tothe directional structural members is formed, as a single body or anaggregate, in a surface reformed region two-dimensionally in the samedirection, the liquid crystal alignment can be tilted in one direction.By this, since a liquid crystal molecule can be tilted in apredetermined direction at the time of voltage application to a liquidcrystal layer 24 when monomer, which is polymerized by light or heat, ispolymerized, the optimum pretilt angle and/or tilt angle at the time ofdriving can be obtained.

[0280] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 51, the liquid crystalalignment is tilted in one direction by the directional structuralmembers provided in the arrangement regions 80 arrangedtwo-dimensionally on the substrate surface or by the surface reformedregion in which a configuration equivalent to these is formed. That is,since the liquid crystal alignment is tilted at short intervals in onedirection, a time in which the tilt of the liquid crystal alignment ispropagated becomes short, and the response time can be shortened.Further, since a domain is not formed on the directional structuralmember or the surface reformed region, the transmissivity is notlowered. Further, since the polymer aligned in the tilt orientation ofthe liquid crystal is formed, the liquid crystal is stably tilted at thetime of low voltage application.

[0281] The plurality of arrangement regions 80 shown in FIG. 51 areadjacent to each other to have a horizontal direction gap width WG and avertical direction gap width HG. As a formation material of thestructural member arranged in the arrangement region 80, for example,S1800 positive photoresist of Shipley Corporation is used. The height ofthe structural member is made about 0.3 μm.

[0282]FIG. 52 shows an example of the directional structural member orthe surface reformed region in which a triangular recess being one sizesmaller is formed from a triangular outer shape when viewed in thedirection of a normal of a substrate surface. An energy beam such as anultraviolet ray is selectively irradiated for reforming the surface. Thethickness of the liquid crystal layer is made about 4 μm. A verticalalignment film is used as an alignment film, and a liquid crystal havinga negative dielectric anisotropy is used as a liquid crystal. Byproviding the triangular recess, there is produced an effect that aliquid crystal molecule is hard to tilt in the direction of the recess.As shown in FIG. 52, the pattern size can take various sizes of patternsD1 to D4.

[0283] At the time of no voltage application, the liquid crystalmolecule is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the substratesurface. At the time of voltage application, the liquid crystal moleculeis tilted in one direction by the directional structural member or thesurface reformed region formed to have the same shape as the former. Inthe case where a liquid crystal cell is sandwiched between polarizingplates arranged in crossed Nicols, a black display is obtained at thetime of no voltage application, and a white display is obtained at thetime of voltage application.

[0284] In the case of a structural member of a flat shape having nodirectionality, it is possible to produce directionality by combination.FIG. 53 shows an example in which a rectangular plane shape having twoaxial symmetry axes and a rectangular plane shape having two axialsymmetry axes are combined to make one axial symmetry axis. As shown inFIG. 53, the pattern size can take various sizes of patterns F1 to F4.

[0285] A triangle, an almost halved ellipse, or a semicircle can be usedas another example of the plane shape of the directional structuralmember or the surface reformed region. In the case of an equilateraltriangle, the number of axial symmetry axes becomes three. However, ifit is arranged in a lattice shape, the number of axial symmetry axes ofan aggregate becomes one.

[0286]FIGS. 54A to 54F show examples of the combination of pluralstructural members. The plane shape of the directional structural memberor the surface reformed region is substantially triangular, rectangular,square, substantially halved elliptical, semicircular, elliptical orcircular, and one of a protrusion and a recess formed on a side oppositeto the protrusion, or both may be provided in a portion. The shape ofthe protrusion or the recess may be substantially triangular,rectangular, square, halved elliptical, or semicircular.

[0287] FIGS. 55 to 58 show constructions for improving a visual angleproperty of an LCD. Directions D of plane shapes of directionalstructural members or surface reformed regions in a pixel 2 aredifferent. In FIG. 55, the inside of the pixel 2 is divided at thecenter into two regions. For example, the structural members each havingthe triangular outer shape with the recess shown in FIG. 52 are alignedin a matrix form in one direction D1 while the apexes point upward inthe drawing. On the other hand, the structural members each having thetriangular outer shape with the recess shown in FIG. 52 are aligned in amatrix form in a reverse direction D2 different from the direction D1 by180° while the apexes point downward in the drawing. By adopting theconstruction as stated above, liquid crystal molecules are alignmentregulated in a wide range in the pixel at the time of polymerization,and an excellent liquid crystal alignment by polymers can be obtained.

[0288] Similarly, in FIG. 56, structural members each having thetriangular outer shape with the recess shown in FIG. 52 are aligned infour directions D1 to D4 while the directions of the apexes are changedfor respective regions by 90°. Incidentally, the direction of the planeshape may be continuously changed. For example, in FIG. 57, thestructural members are extended radially from the center portion of thepixel 2 and are aligned. In FIG. 58, structural members are aligned suchthat the apexes are concentrically arranged. By adopting the alignmentconstructions as stated above, the directions in which the liquidcrystal molecules are tilted can be finely controlled in the pixel 2, sothat the visual angle property can be improved. Further, a shift of theliquid crystal alignment in the orientation angle direction at the timeof display voltage application can be decreased by previously applying alow voltage to the pixel electrode to slightly tilt the liquid crystalalignment.

[0289] What was obtained by adding liquid crystal monoacrylateUCL-001-K1 of 2.5% of Dainippon Ink Corporation to liquid crystalMJ-961213 of Merck Japan Corporation was used as amonomer mixture liquidcrystal material for polymer fixation. After the liquid crystal materialis injected between substrates, monomers are cured by irradiating theliquid crystal layer with ultraviolet rays while a voltage of 5.0 V isapplied to the liquid crystal layer. By doing so, it becomes possible toform polymers aligned in the tilt orientation of the liquid crystalmolecules. By this, the liquid crystal alignment at the time of lowvoltage application can be fixed.

[0290] Further, a construction for improving the visual angle propertyof an LCD is shown in FIGS. 59 and 60. The constructions shown in FIGS.59 and 60 are characterized in that a boundary structural member 78 of adirectional structural member or a surface reformed region is providedat a boundary of respective regions in a pixel 2. The boundarystructural member 78 is formed into a band shape having a width of 5 μmand a height of about 0.3 μm. The height may be about 1.5 μm. FIG. 59shows a state in which the inside of the pixel 2 is divided into tworegions by the band-like boundary structural member 78, and FIG. 60shows a state in which the inside of the pixel 2 is divided into fourregions by combining the band-like boundary structural members 78 into acruciform shape.

[0291] Constructions shown in FIGS. 61 and 62 are specific examples ofthe boundary structural member 78 shown in FIG. 60. The structuralmember 78 shown in FIG. 61 is constructed by arranging a plurality oftriangular structures which are radially extended in four directionswhile the directions of the apexes are made the same in each direction.The boundary structural member 78 shown in FIG. 62 is constructed byarranging isosceles triangle structures which are radially extended infour directions while the one structure is extended in one direction andthe apex points to each direction.

[0292] As described above, according to this embodiment, the liquidcrystal molecules can be tilted and aligned at short intervals, and thepropagation distance of the liquid crystal alignment tilt becomes short,so that the response time can be made short. Further, since thetransmissivity is not lowered, and the liquid crystal alignment at thetime of low voltage application is stable, the display performance ofthe MVA-LCD can be improved.

[0293] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0294] Next, a liquid crystal display according to a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 63 to 65. This embodiment relates toweight lightening of the liquid crystal display. The liquid crystaldisplay is used for a portable TV, various monitors, a projection typeprojector, and the like, in addition to a book-size personal computer.

[0295] The existing LCD which can produce a color display is inferior tothe CRT in brightness, and a rise in luminance is desired. As one ofmethods of improving the brightness, it is conceivable to use a circularpolarization plate (circular polarization plate indicates a combinationof a polarizing plate and a λ/4 plate). A drop in luminance bydisclination generated in a pixel can be suppressed by using thecircular polarization plate.

[0296] In general, as a method for controlling the alignment of liquidcrystal, there is an alignment regulating structural member such as aprotrusion or a slit obtained by cutting an electrode. Besides, there isalso a polymer fixation system in which monomers are polymerized byirradiating ultraviolet (UV) light to a liquid crystal layer mixed withthe monomers in a state where liquid crystal molecules are tilted byapplying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystalis alignment regulated. Among these alignment regulating means, thepolymer fixation system can make the opening ratio of a pixel highest.

[0297] When the monomers in the liquid crystal layer are polymerized, avoltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer to tilt the liquidcrystal molecules, and at this time, there is a case where an alignmentregulating structural member is provided in a pixel so that the liquidcrystal molecules keep predetermined alignment directions. In the casewhere the monomers are polymerized without providing the alignmentregulating structural member such as the protrusion or slit, a beadspacer dispersed in the pixel to maintain a predetermined cell gapbecomes a base point for determining the alignment direction of theliquid crystal molecule.

[0298]FIG. 63 shows a state in which three adjacent pixels 2 are viewedin the direction of a normal of a substrate surface. A bead spacer 82does not exist in a pixel 2 at the left side in the drawing, but onebead spacer 82 exists in each of the pixels 2 at the center and theright in the drawing and the arrangement positions are different fromeach other. Since the bead spacers 82 are dispersed at random, as shownin FIG. 63, the distribution states of the bead spacers 82 are differentfor the respective pixels, and accordingly, the base positions fordetermining the alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules 24 aare different between the respective pixels.

[0299] When a voltage is applied to a liquid crystal layer 24, theliquid crystal molecules 24 a in the vicinity of a gate bus line 4 aretilted in the direction perpendicular to the gate bus line 4 by ahorizontal electric field generated between the gate bus line 4 and theend portion of a pixel electrode 3. Similarly, the liquid crystalmolecules 24 a in the vicinity of a drain bus line 6 are tilted in thedirection perpendicular to the drain bus line 6. The tilts of the liquidcrystal molecules 24 a in the vicinity of the bus lines are propagatedto the inner liquid crystal molecules 24 a, and four alignment divisionregions are formed. Dark lines X1 as shown in the drawing are formed atthe boundaries of the respective alignment regions.

[0300] However, as described above, since the distribution states of thebead spacers 82 are different between the respective pixels, and thebase positions for determining the alignment directions of the liquidcrystal molecules 24 a are different between the respective pixels, asis apparent from FIG. 63, the formation states of the dark lines X1become different between the respective pixels in accordance with thepositions of the bead spacers 82 in the pixels 2. This is caused sincethe alignment ratios of the respective tilt orientations are differentbetween the respective pixels, and even in the case where the circularpolarization plate is used, there arises a problem that an angle of viewbecomes small at a halftone, brightness becomes different between therespective pixels or unevenness of display is observed on the whole.

[0301] In order to improve the above problem, in the liquid crystaldisplay according to this embodiment, columnar spacers are formed at thesame position in all pixels instead of the bead spacers, so that thealignment ratios of liquid crystal molecules in respective alignmentdirections in the pixel become the same in all pixels. By doing so,since the alignment rates of the liquid crystal molecules in therespective alignment directions become the same in all the pixels,unevenness of display can be prevented.

[0302] Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with referenceto FIG. 64. FIG. 64 shows a state in which three adjacent pixels 2 areviewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface. In FIG. 64,a storage capacitance bus line 18 is formed under pixel electrodes 3 attheir center lines, and columnar spacers 84 each having a width of 10 μmsquare are formed of resist on the center of pixel electrodes 3.

[0303] As stated above, in the MVA-LCD of this example, instead of thebead spacers, the columnar spacers 84 are formed at the same position(in this example, at the center of the pixel) of the respective pixels.Thus, the base positions for determining the alignment directions of theliquid crystal molecules 24 a can be the same for all the pixels.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 64, the alignment ratios of the liquidcrystal molecules 24 a in the respective alignment directions in thepixel 2 are made the same, and the formation states of dark lines X1 inthe pixels 2 can be made the same in all the pixels.

[0304] Next, a method of manufacturing the MVA-LCD according to thisexample will be described in brief.

[0305] First, a positive resist (made by Shipley Corporation) is spinnercoated to a predetermined thickness (such a thickness that a cell gapbecomes 5 μm) on an array substrate on which a TFT 16 is formed or anopposite substrate on which a color filter is formed. Thereafter, maskexposure is performed, and the columnar spacer 84 having a thicknessequivalent to the thickness of a cell gap is formed at the centerportion of a pixel as shown in FIG. 64.

[0306] Next, a vertical alignment film made of polyimide is formed onthe array substrate and the opposite substrate.

[0307] Next, both the substrates are bonded at a predetermined position,and a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy and amonomer, which can be polymerized by UV light, are mixed and in thisstate, they are injected between the substrates.

[0308] A gate voltage of DC 30 V is applied to the gate bus line 4 ofthe liquid crystal panel in which the injection is finished, and a drainvoltage of DC 5 V is applied to the drain bus line 6. The oppositeelectrode is the ground voltage. At this time, the horizontal electricfield is generated between the gate bus line 4 or the data bus line 6and the pixel electrode 3, and the liquid crystal molecules 24 a areslowly aligned into the stable state. UV light is irradiated to theliquid crystal layer 24 in this state, and the monomer is cured byphotopolymerization.

[0309] Next, circular polarization plates (polarizing plates+λ/4 plates)are arranged on both surfaces of the liquid crystal panel in apredetermined optical axis, and the MVA-LCD is completed.

[0310] Next, a modified example of the above example will be describedwith reference to FIG. 65. FIG. 65 shows a state in which three adjacentpixels 2 are viewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface.In FIG. 65, two columnar spacers 84 each having a width of 10 μm squareare formed on a horizontal or vertical center line 1 b of a pixelelectrode 3 at equal distances from the center of the pixe 12.Incidentally, the columnar spacer 84 may be naturally cylindrical.Cylindrical spacers 84′ each having a diameter of 10 μm is exemplifiedin the pixel 2 at the left side of FIG. 65. It is desirable that thewidth and the diameter of the columnar spacers 84 and 84′ are 20 μm orless.

[0311] As stated above, also in the MVA-LCD of this modified example,instead of the bead spacers, the two columnar spacers 84 are formed atthe same positions (in this example, upper and lower two positions atequal distances from the center of the pixel) of each of the pixels.Even if this construction is adopted, the base positions for determiningthe alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules 24 a can bemade the same in all the pixels.

[0312] In the above example and modified example, the columnar spacer 84is formed using the resist, however, in addition to this, the columnarspacer 84 may be naturally formed by partially stacking two or threelayers of color filter formation material. Besides, it may be formed bystacking plural layers of the color filter formation material and a thinfilm of organic material.

[0313] Further, in a CF-on-TFT structure in which a color filter layeris formed on an array substrate, the columnar spacer 84 may be naturallyformed by partially stacking two or three layers of color filter layers.

[0314] Besides, in the above example and modified example, although thedescription has been given of the example in which two or three columnarspacers 84 are formed in the pixel, in addition to this, columnarspacers may be naturally formed also on the peripheral portion of thepixel regularly.

[0315] [Sixth Embodiment]

[0316] Next, a liquid crystal display according to a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 66 to 68B. This embodiment relates toa VA mode in which a liquid crystal having a negative dielectricanisotropy is vertically aligned, and particularly to an MVA-LCD inwhich an alignment control (tilt direction) of liquid crystal moleculesis made without performing an alignment processing such as rubbing butby using an alignment protrusion or an electrode slit. Further, thisembodiment relates to an MVA-LCD which has a wide interval betweenalignment protrusions and is bright, however, has a construction suchthat an alignment control is difficult.

[0317] In the MVA-LCD in which the liquid crystal having the negativedielectric anisotropy is vertically aligned, and the tilt directions ofthe liquid crystal molecules at the time of voltage application aredivided into some directions using the alignment protrusions or theelectrode slits, they are vertically aligned almost completely at thetime of no voltage application, however, they are tilted in variousdirections at the time of voltage application. Although the directionsof the tilts are regulated to form 45° with respect to a polarizerabsorption axis in any cases, the liquid crystal molecule as a continuumalso falls down in the intermediate direction. Besides, also by theinfluence of a horizontal electric field or the like at the time ofdriving or the roughness of the structural member, there always exists aregion where the tilt direction of the liquid crystal is shifted from apredetermined direction. In the normally-black mode in which thepolarizers are arranged in crossed Nicols, a blackish region appears ineach pixel at the time of a white display. This lowers the luminance ofthe screen.

[0318] Then, the polymer fixation system is effective in which theliquid crystal molecules fall down to a certain degree by voltageapplication, and a monomer material is polymerized in the state wherethe tilt direction is determined. As the monomer material, a materialwhich is polymerized by UV irradiation is generally used. In the polymerfixation system, a polymer is formed to memorize the information of thetilting direction of liquid crystal molecules at the time of voltageapplication. Accordingly, when a state in which there is no disclinationin a liquid crystal layer is formed at the time of polymerization by UVirradiation, the disclination is not produced in the display pixel evenif any liquid crystal driving is performed later. Further, there is amerit that the response speed at a halftone is also improved.

[0319] However, it is difficult to apply a uniform voltage to the wholeliquid crystal layer at the time of polymerization. Besides, it is knownthat UV irradiation in the on state of a TFT deteriorates thecharacteristics of the TFT. Further, it is troublesome in process thatUV irradiation is made while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer. Moreover, if the monomer material in the liquid crystal layer isirregularly distributed, there is a case where unevenness of in-planepre-tilt occurs after the polymerization, and unevenness of display iscaused.

[0320] In order to solve the above problem, in this embodiment, UVirradiation is applied to monomers to polymerize them in a state of novoltage application or in such a low voltage application state thatthere does not occur a difference in pre-tilt even if there is anirregular distribution of monomer materials. In the state of no voltageapplication, a predetermined effect can be obtained by using aprocessing of optical alignment or the like together.

[0321] The UV irradiation is applied under a low voltage of such adegree that a difference does not occur in the pre-tilt even if there isfluctuation of applied voltage to the liquid crystal layer in thesubstrate surface or an irregular distribution of polymer materials inthe substrate surface, so that a desired pretilt angle and/or alignmentregulating direction can be given to the liquid crystal layer, and theoccurrence of the unevenness of display at the time of an image displaycan be prevented. Further, in combination with a UV alignment,polymerization can be performed in the state in which alignment controlis perfect even if a voltage is not applied. Besides, since the TFT canbe turned off at the time of the UV irradiation, deterioration of theTFT can be prevented.

[0322] According to this embodiment, the MVA-LCD can be obtained inwhich tilting of the liquid crystal molecules is carried out at a highspeed, the alignment is fixed, and unevenness of in-plane display doesnot occur.

[0323] Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with referenceto FIGS. 66 to 68B.

[0324]FIG. 66 shows a basic construction of an LCD using the polymerfixation system. Liquid crystal molecules 24 a are fixed at a pretiltangle by polymers, and the tilting direction at the time of voltageapplication is also regulated.

[0325]FIG. 67A shows a conventional system in which a voltage is appliedto a liquid crystal layer 24 when UV irradiation is applied to a monomermaterial to polymerize it. If polymerization is performed by thissystem, the liquid crystal molecules 24 a are fixed at a predeterminedpretilt angle. This pretilt angle is determined by the concentration ofthe polymer material, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer24, and the amount of the UV irradiation.

[0326]FIG. 67B shows a method of polymerization according to thisexample. A light (UV) alignment processing is performed to alignmentfilms (not shown) formed on liquid crystal contact surfaces of a pixelelectrode 3 and a common electrode 26. By doing so, since it becomesunnecessary to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 24 at thetime of UV irradiation, the obtained pretilt angle is determined only bythe UV alignment processing, and polymerization is performed in thisstate. Instead of the UV alignment processing, a low voltage of such adegree that fluctuation does not occur in the pretilt angle may beapplied to the liquid crystal layer to perform polymerization.

[0327]FIG. 68A shows results obtained by the conventional system. Theleft side and the right side of the drawing show unevenness of pretiltin the case where there is unevenness of concentration in the polymermaterial or there is unevenness of applied voltage to the liquid crystallayer 24. In the illustrated example, a left pretilt angle is largerthan a right one. As a result, when the completed LCD is displayed, theunevenness of display is observed.

[0328]FIG. 68B shows results of this example. In the case where thepretilt angle is determined by the UV alignment processing of thealignment film, or in the case where the low voltage of such a degreethat fluctuation of the pretilt angle does not occur is applied to theliquid crystal layer, even if unevenness of concentration of the polymermaterial exists on the substrate, since the unevenness of pretilt doesnot occur, the unevenness of display does not occur in the completedLCD.

[0329] The monomer material used for this embodiment is a mesomorphismor non-mesogenic monomer, and for example, bifunctional acrylate or amixture of bifunctional acrylate and monofunctional acrylate can beused.

[0330] In this embodiment, although the MVA-LCD has been described, inaddition to this, the above embodiment can be applied to LCDs of varioussystems, such as another VA mode, TN mode, or IPS mode.

[0331] [Seventh Embodiment]

[0332] Next, a liquid crystal display according to a seventh embodimentof the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 69. This embodiment relates to theliquid crystal display and the method of manufacturing the same, andparticularly to the liquid crystal display in which alignment regulationof a vertical alignment type liquid crystal is stably performed by apolymer fixation (macromolecule fixation) system. In a conventionalpolymer fixation system, there is adopted a method in which at the timeof polymerization, the alignment directions of liquid crystal moleculesare controlled by performing light irradiation while a voltage isapplied to the liquid crystal layer from an external power source.

[0333] However, this is not an easy process in fabricating the liquidcrystal display panel. This is because UV light for polymerization mustbe irradiated in the state where the voltage is supplied to the liquidcrystal layer from the side of the gate bus line of the liquid crystaldisplay panel, the side of the drain bus line, and the common electrode.

[0334]FIG. 69 shows a state in which an array substrate 88 includingTFTs and formed on a mother glass 86 on the side of the array substrate,and an opposite substrate 89 bonded thereto across a liquid crystallayer 24 are viewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface.Polymers for regulating pretilt angles of liquid crystal moleculesand/or tilt directions at the time of driving are mixed in the liquidcrystal layer 24. Pixel electrodes are formed in a matrix form on thearray substrate 88, and a common electrode is formed on the oppositesubstrate 89. The TFTs on the array substrate 88 are connected to a gatebus line and a drain bus line.

[0335] Solar cells (silicon photovoltaic cells) 74 and 75 are formed onthe mother glass 86. Output terminals of the solar cell 74 arerespectively connected to a plurality of gate bus line terminals led outto the end face of the array substrate 88. Output terminals of the solarcell 75 are respectively connected to a plurality of drain bus lineterminals led out to the end face of the array substrate 88.

[0336] In a process of fabricating the liquid crystal display panel, thealignment direction of the liquid crystal layer 24 can be regulated byapplying a voltage between the pixel electrode and the common electrodeusing the output voltage obtained by irradiating the solar cells 74 and75 with light. That is, voltage supply from an external power source isnot necessary, and it becomes possible to control the alignmentorientations of the liquid crystal molecules in the process of lightirradiation.

[0337] When the alignment orientations of the liquid crystal moleculeshave been fixed, the solar cells 74 and 75 provided on the outerperipheral portion of the mother glass 86 become unnecessary, andaccordingly, the solar cells 74 and 75 are cut away from the panel atscribe lines S1 and S2 when the liquid crystal display panel is cut outfrom the mother glass 86.

[0338] It is desirable in process that the solar cells 74 and 75 areformed on the mother glass 86 on which the pixel TFTs and activeelements included in a peripheral circuit are formed, and aresimultaneously formed when the elements of the pixel portion and theperipheral circuit of the array substrate 88 are formed. When they areformed on the same substrate, manufacturing costs can be suppressed.

[0339] Besides, the solar cells 74 and 75 are formed on the peripheralportion of the display region, and after the alignment orientation ofthe liquid crystal is regulated by irradiation of light, they may beshaded by a light shielding material and may remain in the inside of theliquid crystal display panel. At this time, in the case where it is usedas a liquid crystal display, light shielding must be carried out so thatthe solar cells are not operated by a backlight or peripheral light. Itis desirable that the light shielding is carried out by sealing thesolar cell portion with a colored resin or a black resin. Further, it isalso effective to design a housing so as to shade them from a backlightportion or surrounding light.

[0340] The liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal display of thisembodiment is characterized in that it is of the vertical alignment typeand is subjected to the macromolecule fixation processing. The alignmentorientation of the liquid crystal is determined even at the time of novoltage application by the macromolecular fixation processing, and theliquid crystal molecules have pretilt angles with respect to thesubstrate surface. Such a liquid crystal display panel has a very highcontrast ratio and a high speed response characteristic, and can providea display of high performance. By adopting a multi-domain in which thedirections of liquid crystal alignment molecules by the voltageapplication are two or more directions, a wide visual angle property canalso be obtained.

[0341] The plural solar cells 74 and 75 are formed in the mother glass86, and they can respectively output independent voltages. That is,various solar cells can be formed on the mother glass 86 according tothe objects, for example, the solar cell 74 for gate voltage suppliesvoltage to the gate bus line at polymerization, the solar cell 75 fordrain voltage supplies voltage to the drain bus line, a solar cell isfor a storage capacitance bus line, and so on.

[0342] For example, the solar cell 75 may apply voltages suitable forrespective pixel electrodes of R (Red), G (Green) and B (Blue) of theliquid crystal display panel. In the case where the opticalcharacteristics of the liquid crystal display panel are controlled, whenthe liquid crystal alignment is controlled for each of R, G and Bregions, the optical characteristics can be excellent, and at that time,it is advantageous to be capable of controlling the tilt directionbetween the substrate surface and the liquid crystal molecule. It iswell known that a pretilt with a slight inclination of several degrees,such as a pretilt angle of about 87 degrees or 88 degrees, exhibits ahigher speed response property than a tilt angle of 90 degrees as acomplete vertical alignment.

[0343] Light is irradiated to perform polymerization, and a constructionmay be adopted such that the solar cells 74 and 75 are operated by theirradiation light at that time. That is, alignment orienting of theliquid crystal and the polymerization for recording the orienting arecarried out at the same time by simultaneous exposure. When this methodis adopted, a very simple polymerization process can be realized.

[0344] It is not always necessary that the light irradiation isperformed simultaneously, and if a process as set forth below can beadopted, its effect becomes great. The polymerization is performed by aphotoreaction of photo-curing macromolecules existing in the liquidcrystal layer, and the wavelength necessary at this time is in a regionof ultraviolet light. On the other hand, it is known that the solarcells 74 and 75 are operated by visible light or the like, and lightused for the polymerization is not always needed. Thus, it is possibleto irradiate plural light beams of second and third beams, differentfrom the light for polymerization, to the solar cells 74 and 75, theintensities of the light beams can also be made different from eachother, and an output voltage corresponding to the light irradiation canbe obtained. At this time, it is also effective to apply a necessary hotwind or heat wind to the solar cells 74 and 75. By doing so, a voltagesuitable for the orienting of the liquid crystal can be applied to theliquid crystal display panel, and it becomes possible to realize amulti-tilt. Of course, it is needless to say that the irradiation lightused for the polymerization includes a visible light component.

[0345] The liquid crystal display panel in this embodiment is convenientalso for the case where it is fabricated by a dropping injection method.A construction can be adopted such that light is irradiated to a mainseal coated on the periphery of the substrate, and the solar cells 74and 75 are operated when a pair of panels are bonded and are fixed.

[0346] Besides, a feature is such that from at least one of the liquidcrystal display panels, differently from the light for operating thesolar cells 74 and 75, light is irradiated so that an active element inthe pixel shows photoconductivity. Since the active element of the pixelportion produces the photoconductivity, it becomes possible to reduce orcancel the applied voltage to the gate side terminal from the solarcells 74 and 75, and simplification can be made in the case where thesolar cells 74 and 75 are formed in the substrate surface. It ispreferable that light for giving the photoconductivity is irradiatedfrom the side of the opposite substrate at the side opposite to thesubstrate including the active element and from an oblique direction ofthe liquid crystal display panel, and it is appropriate that the lightgoes round a light shielding material such as a black matrix (BM).

[0347] [Eighth Embodiment]

[0348] Next, a liquid crystal display according to an eighth embodimentof the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 70A to 75. This embodiment relates toa method for regulating the alignment of liquid crystal of a VA modeLCD. A conventional TFT liquid crystal display using a TN mode has aproblem that a contrast is lowered when viewed in an oblique direction,or light and darkness of a display is inverted.

[0349] In the VA mode liquid crystal display in which liquid crystalmolecules are aligned in the vertical direction with respect to thealignment film surface (substrate surface) in the state of no voltageapplication, a contrast higher than that of the TN mode can be obtained.In the case where the VA mode is used, it is generally necessary to givea pretilt angle to the liquid crystal molecule. The pretilt angle isabout 1° to 5° when measured from a normal of a substrate surface.

[0350] In the case where the liquid crystal panel is actuallyconstructed, a cell is constructed by bonding two substrates on whichthe alignment films are formed, and the directions of the pretilt anglesgiven to the alignment films of the two substrates are made opposite toeach other. This alignment method is called a homeotropic alignment.When a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy isinjected into the cell and a voltage is applied from electrodes providedon the two substrates, the liquid crystal molecules are tilted in onedirection in which the pretilt angle is given. By this, a white displayis realized from a black display.

[0351] As a method of giving the pretilt angle to the alignment film,methods as described below are generally adopted. One is a rubbingmethod in which a rotating rubbing cloth is brought into contact withthe surface of the alignment film to rub it, and the other is an opticalalignment method in which ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the surfaceof the alignment film in an oblique direction.

[0352] As a method of widening an angle of view without producinginversion of an image, there is an alignment division method in which aplurality of alignment directions of liquid crystal molecules areprovided in one pixel. In this method, alignment regulating forces ofthe plural directions must be given onto the alignment film in theminute pixel. In this case, since the rubbing method is not suitable forthe alignment division, it is suitable to use a method of opticalalignment or the like.

[0353] Besides, as a method of strengthening the alignment regulatingforce of a tilt vertical alignment, there is a polymer fixation method.This is a method in which polymerizable monomers are mixed and arepolymerized in a liquid crystal layer, and the alignment regulatingforce is intensified by polymers formed by the polymerization of themonomers, and there are merits that the response time can be made shortand high resistance is obtained against an alignment disturbance due toan external electric field or the like.

[0354] A problem of a case where alignment regulating force is increasedby the polymer fixation method will be described with reference to FIGS.70A and 70B. FIGS. 70A and 70B show a state in which two adjacent pixels2 are viewed in the direction of a normal of a substrate surface. FIG.70A shows the side of an array substrate in which TFTs 16 are formed.FIG. 70B shows a display state of the pixel 2 observed through a blackmatrix (BM) of a light shielding film provided on the side of anopposite substrate. As shown in FIG. 70A, an alignment regulatingstructural member such as a linear protrusion or a slit is not formed ona pixel electrode 3 in the pixel 2. Thus, when a predetermined voltageis applied to a gate bus line 4 and a drain bus line 6, liquid crystalmolecules 24 a at the end portion of the pixel electrode 3 as indicatedan arrow 92 in the drawing are tilted toward the inside of the pixelelectrode 3 in the directions perpendicular to the extension directionsof the respective bus lines 4 and 6 by horizontal electric fieldsgenerated between the end portion of the pixel electrode 3 and therespective bus lines 4 and 6.

[0355] Even if an initial pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule isgiven in the direction of an arrow 94 in the drawing by the opticalalignment method, since anchoring energy is low in the optical alignmentmethod, the liquid crystal molecule falls down in a direction differentfrom a direction of a given pretilt, for example, a direction differentby 90° by the influence of the horizontal electric field between the endportion of the pixel electrode 3 and the drain bus line. Thus, when awhite display is caused, as shown in FIG. 70B, dark portions X1 aregenerated in regions between the pixel electrodes 3 and the drain buslines 6.

[0356] In the case where ultraviolet rays are irradiated to polymerizemonomers, the alignment direction memorized in polymers after completiondepends on the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules atthe time of polymerization. If ultraviolet rays are irradiated to theliquid crystal layer in this state to perform polymerization and thealignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is fixed, the darkportions X1 are also memorized and the polymerization is performed.

[0357] Then, in this embodiment, when ultraviolet rays are irradiated tothe liquid crystal layer to polymerize the monomers, a voltage patternset forth below is applied to the side of the array substrate on whichthe TFTs 16 are formed, so that the polymer for regulating an excellentpretilt angle and/or alignment direction is realized without memorizingthe dark portions X1.

[0358] (1) A gate voltage Vg (on)=c at which the TFT 16 becomes in an onstate is applied to the gate bus line 4 as a gate pulse of a specifiedfrequency. At a time other than the time of application of the gatepulse, a gate voltage Vg (off) at which the TFT 16 becomes in an offstate is applied.

[0359] (2) At the timing when the gate voltage Vg (on) is applied to thegate bus line 4, a drain voltage Vd (on)=a is applied to the drain busline 6, and in the other case, a drain voltage Vd (off)=b is applied.Here, |a|<|b|.

[0360] (3) A direct-current voltage of a common voltage Vc=a/2 isapplied to the side of the common electrode. Incidentally, the pulsewidth of each of the gate voltage Vg (on), the drain voltage Vd (on) andthe drain voltage Vd (off) is shorter than the pulse width of a writingvoltage Vp written to the pixel, and for example, it is {fraction(1/100)} or less of the pulse width of the writing voltage Vp.

[0361] In the case where a voltage is applied under the above conditions(1) to (3), the writing voltage Vp written to the pixel electrode 3 isthe drain voltage Vd (on) at the time when the TFT 16 is in the onstate. Accordingly, the writing voltage is Vp=a, and this voltage isheld even if the TFT 16 is in the off state. The drain voltage Vd (off)applied to the drain bus line 6 while the writing voltage Vp is held isthe pulse repeated at a predetermined frequency and having the maximumamplitude of b V. A time in which the TFT 16 is in the on state is veryshort, and a time in which the TFT 16 is in the off state other thanthat occupies the most part, and further, since the drain voltage Vd(off) applied to the drain bus line 6 is higher than the writing voltageVp applied to the pixel electrode 3, the influence of horizontalelectric field generated at the end portion of the pixel electrode 3 canbe made small. By this, the width of the dark portion X1 generated atthe end portion of the pixel electrode 3 and memorized at thepolymerization can be made small.

[0362] Hereinafter, the liquid crystal display according to thisembodiment and the method of manufacturing the same will be specificallydescribed using examples.

EXAMPLE 8-1

[0363]FIG. 71 shows a driving waveform of a liquid crystal displayaccording to this example. A pixel pitch (in the longitudinal directionof a pixel) in the extension direction of a drain bus line 6 having awidth of 5 μm is 200 μm. On the other hand, a pixel pitch in theextension direction of a gate bus line 4 having a width of 5 μm is 70μm. The end portion of a pixel electrode 3 is located at a position 3 μmaway from the end portion of the drain bus line 6 or the end portion ofthe gate bus line 4. The pixel electrode 3 is made of ITO (Indium TinOxide) and is connected to a source electrode of a TFT.

[0364] A black matrix (BM) having a width of 11 μm is provided on theside of an opposite substrate at a pitch of 200 μm in a verticaldirection and 70 μm in a horizontal direction. On the BM, a commonelectrode made of ITO is provided on almost the whole surface of thesubstrate. Alignment films are formed on the array substrate and theopposite substrate. This alignment film has a vertical alignmentproperty, and a tilt vertical alignment property is given by rubbing thesurface of the alignment film.

[0365] The array substrate and the opposite substrate are bonded to eachother so that a liquid crystal panel is fabricated. A liquid crystalmixed with monomers for polymer fixation is injected into this liquidcrystal panel and is sealed.

[0366] Under the following procedures, voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal panel in which the liquid crystal has been injected.

[0367] (1) A gate voltage Vg (on) of a frequency of 60 Hz is applied tothe gate bus line 4 as a pulse so that the TFT 16 becomes in the onstate. The gate voltage is Vg (on)=c=18 V. An application time of thegate voltage Vg (on) is 0.1 ms, and only one pulse is applied in oneframe. A frame frequency is made 16.7 ms, and the gate voltage is madeVg (off)=−5V in 16.7−0.1=16.6 ms. Incidentally, setting is made suchthat the gate voltages Vg (on) and (off) are applied to all the gate buslines 4 at the same time.

[0368] (2) A drain voltage Vd (on)=±5 V is applied to the drain bus line6 at the timing when the gate voltage Vg (on)=18 V is applied to thegate bus line 4, and at timing other than that, a drain voltage Vd(off)=±8 V is applied.

[0369] A time in which the drain voltage Vd (on) is applied to the drainbus line 6 is made equal to or rather longer than the time in which thegate voltage Vg (on) at which the TFT 16 becomes in the on state isapplied. In this example, the drain voltage Vd (on) has a pulse width ofat least 0.1 ms.

[0370] (3) A direct-current voltage corresponding to the center of theamplitude of the drain voltage Vd (on) is applied to the common voltageVc. In this example, the common voltage Vc=0 V.

[0371] An applied waveform becomes a waveform as shown in FIG. 71. Awriting voltage Vp=±5 V is applied to the pixel electrode 3 at afrequency of 30 Hz and is held until a next writing voltage is applied.On the other hand, at a time other than the time in which the TFT 16 isin the on state, the drain voltage Vd (off)=+8 V is applied to the drainbus line 6.

[0372] By this, it is possible to form such a situation that the voltageapplied to the drain bus line 6 is always higher than the voltageapplied to the pixel electrode 3. In the state where the voltages areapplied to the respective electrodes under the above voltage applicationconditions, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the liquid crystal layerto polymerize the photo-polymerizable component in the liquid crystal.After the photo-polymerizable component is polymerized, the pretiltangle of the liquid crystal molecule in the liquid crystal layer and/orthe alignment direction is regulated even at the time of no voltageapplication. Thus, the dark portion X1 is not extended even by thedriving voltage at an image display, and the MVA-LCD having highluminance can be realized.

[0373]FIGS. 72A and 72B show a state in which two adjacent pixels 2according to this example are viewed in the direction of a normal of asubstrate surface. FIG. 72A shows the side of the array substrate onwhich the TFT 16 according to this example is formed. FIG. 72B shows adisplay state of the pixel 2 observed through the black matrix (BM) of alight shielding film provided on the side of the opposite substrate. Asshown in FIG. 72A, the predetermined voltages are applied to the gatebus line 4 and the drain bus line 6 and even if the horizontal electricfields are generated between the end portion of the pixel electrode 3and the respective bus lines 4 and 6, the liquid crystal molecules 24 aat the end portion of the pixel electrode 3 do not tilt in the directionperpendicular to the extension directions of the respective bus lines 4and 6 by alignment regulation of polymers. Thus, as shown in FIG. 72B,the width of the dark portion X1 generated at the end portion of thepixel electrode 3 along the drain bus line 6 can be reduced.

EXAMPLE 8-2

[0374] This example will be described with reference to FIG. 73. Thisexample is characterized in that a drain voltage Vd (off) applied to thedrain bus line 6 is made a direct-current voltage instead of analternating rectangular voltage as in the example 8-1. As shown in FIG.73, a pulse voltage of a drain voltage Vd (on)=+5 V is applied at thetiming of a gate voltage Vg (on) at which the TFT 16 is in the on state,and at timing other than that, the drain voltage Vd (off)=+8 V isapplied.

[0375] Ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the liquid crystal layer underthe conditions while the voltage is applied, so that thephoto-polymerizable component in the liquid crystal is polymerized. Alsoby this example, since the photo-polymerizable component in the liquidcrystal can be polymerized in the state where the dark portion X1 at theend portion of the pixel electrode 3 along the drain bus line 6 is madesmall, it becomes possible to fabricate the liquid crystal panel havinghigh luminance in which the dark portion X1 is not generated even at thetime of driving in a normal display mode.

Comparative Example 8-1

[0376]FIG. 74 shows a conventional voltage driving waveform as acomparative example. As shown in FIG. 74, since the relation of voltagesis conventionally drain voltage Vd (on)=drain voltage Vd (off)=writingvoltage Vp, the dark portion X1 is generated by the influence of thehorizontal electric field generated between the drain bus line 6 and theend portion of the pixel electrode 3.

[0377]FIG. 75 is a graph in which the drain voltage Vd (off) is takenfor the horizontal axis, and the luminance ratio is taken for thevertical axis. Here, the luminance ratio is made 1 in the case where thedrain voltage Vd (off) and the writing voltage Vp have the samepotential.

[0378] As is apparent from FIG. 75, when the drain voltage is Vd(off)=±8 V and the writing voltage Vp=±5 V of the above example, theluminance ratio exceeding 1.1 is obtained, and the dark portion X1 issufficiently decreased.

[0379] Besides, it is understood that when the gate voltage Vd(on)=writing voltage Vp is 5 V or higher, a remarkable effect isobtained. Besides, when the intensity of the voltage of the writingvoltage Vp and the drain voltage Vd (off) is 2 V or higher, a remarkableeffect is obtained.

[0380] [Ninth Embodiment]

[0381] Next, a liquid crystal display according to a ninth embodiment ofthe present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 76 to 83. This embodiment relates tothe liquid crystal display in which a liquid crystal compositecontaining a photo-polymerizable component is sandwiched betweensubstrates, the photo-polymerizable component is photo-polymerized whilea voltage is applied to the liquid crystal composite, and the liquidcrystal alignment is fixed by this.

[0382] In a conventional liquid crystal display device, a TN mode inwhich liquid crystals of horizontal alignment are twisted between upperand lower substrates is the main current, however, since the tilt angleof the liquid crystal is different according to an observationorientation, that is, an angle of view, gradation inversion occurs at aspecific angle of view and at a halftone. Then, a technique called anMVA mode is realized in which liquid crystal of vertical alignment istilted in symmetrical orientations to perform compensation of a visualangle. In the MVA mode, by forming an alignment regulating structuralmember made of dielectric or insulator on an electrode, an obliqueelectric field is formed in the liquid crystal layer at the time ofvoltage application, and the liquid crystal is tilted in thepredetermined tilt orientation by this oblique electric field.

[0383] However, since the voltage applied to the liquid crystal on thealignment regulating structural member is attenuated or becomes zero,the transmissivity per pixel becomes low. In order to ensure thetransmissivity, an occupied ratio of the alignment regulating structuralmember has only to be made low, and for example, a gap between adjacentalignment regulating structural members has only to be made wide.However, if the gap between the alignment regulating structural membersis made wide, there arises a problem that it takes a time to tilt theliquid crystal at the center portion of the gap, and a response timewhen a halftone is display becomes long.

[0384] Then, a liquid crystal alignment fixation technique has beenproposed in which a liquid crystal composite containing aphoto-polymerizable component is sandwiched between substrates, thephoto-polymerizable component is photo-polymerized to form across-linking structure corresponding to the alignment of liquid crystalwhile a voltage is applied, and the liquid crystal alignment is fixed.By this, the response time can be shortened while the transmissivity isensured.

[0385]FIG. 76 shows a schematic construction of a liquid crystal displayusing the above alignment fixation technique. FIG. 76 shows a part of anupper surface of an active matrix type liquid crystal display panelusing TFTs as switching elements, viewed from the side of a color filtersubstrate. As shown in FIG. 76, in a liquid crystal panel 100, aplurality of pixel regions 114 arranged in a matrix form are formed onthe side of an array substrate 116, and a TFT 112 is formed in each ofpixel regions 114. A display region 110 of an image is constituted bythe plurality of pixel regions 114. Incidentally, although detailedillustration is omitted, a gate electrode of the TFT 112 of each of thepixel regions 114 is connected to a gate bus line, and a drain electrodeis connected to a drain bus line (data line). A source electrode of theTFT 112 is connected to a pixel electrode formed in the pixel region114. The plurality of drain bus lines and gate bus lines are connectedto a terminal portion 102 formed at the outer periphery of the arraysubstrate 116 and are connected to a driving circuit (not shown)provided at the outside.

[0386] A color filter (CF) substrate 104 formed to be smaller than thearray substrate 116 by a rough size of a region of the terminal portion102 seals liquid crystal to have a predetermined cell thickness (cellgap) and is provided opposite to the array substrate 116. Together witha common electrode (common electrode; not shown), color filters(indicated by characters of R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) in thedrawing), BM (black Matrix; light shielding film) 108 and 118 using Cr(chromium film) films etc., and the like are formed on the CF substrate104. The BM 118 is used for attaining a contrast by defining theplurality of pixel regions 114 in the display region 110 and forpreventing the generation of photoelectric leak current by shading theTFTs 112. Besides, the BM frame portion 108 is provided to shade theunnecessary light from the outside of the display region 110. The arraysubstrate 116 and the CF substrate 104 are bonded to each other througha main seal (sealing agent) 106 made of photo-curing resin.

[0387] Incidentally, a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal displayroughly includes an array process for forming a wiring pattern,switching elements (in the case of an active matrix type), and the likeon a glass substrate, a cell process for an alignment processing, anarrangement of a spacer, and sealing of liquid crystal between oppositeglass substrates, and a module process for attachment of a driver IC,mounting of a backlight, and the like. Among them, in the liquid crystalinjection process performed in the cell process, for example, a dipinjection method is used in which after the array substrate 116including the TFTs 112, and the color filter substrate 104 opposite tothat are bonded to each other through the main seal 106, liquid crystaland the substrates are put in a vacuum vessel, and an injection port(not shown) formed in the main seal 106 is immersed in the liquidcrystal, and then, the inside pressure of the vessel is returned to theatmospheric pressure to thereby seal the liquid crystal between thesubstrates.

[0388] On the other hand, in recent years, attention has been paid to adropping injection method in which for example, a prescribed amount ofliquid crystal is dropped onto a substrate surface in a frame of themain seal 106 formed into a frame shape around the array substrate 116,and the array substrate 116 and the CF substrate 104 are bonded to eachother in vacuum to seal the liquid crystal. According to the droppinginjection method, since the display panel 100 of the liquid crystaldisplay can be manufactured easily and at low cost, various technicalinvestigations and improvements have been carried out.

[0389] In the liquid crystal display using such a liquid crystalalignment fixation technique, there is a problem concerning unevennessof display in the vicinity of the injection port formed in the main seal106 in the case of using the dip injection method. Also in the casewhere a similar liquid crystal display is manufactured using thedropping injection method, unevenness of display occurs in the vicinityof the main seal 106.

[0390]FIG. 77 is a view for explaining a problem in the case where asealing agent made of photo-curing resin is used for a liquid crystalinjection portion, which is used in the conventional dip injectionmethod. As shown in FIG. 77, when a light 122 having a wavelength rangefrom an ultraviolet range to a visible light range is irradiated to asealing agent 126 of an injection port 120, a light 123 transmittedthrough the sealing agent 126 enters a liquid crystal layer 24.Photo-polymerizable components dispersed in the liquid crystal layer 24are photo-polymerized by the light 123 transmitted through the sealingagent 126 and an uneven display region 128 is produced near theinjection port 120.

[0391]FIG. 78 is a view for explaining a problem in the case where amain seal made of photo-curing resin used in the conventional droppinginjection method is used. Even if a light 124 having a wavelength rangefrom an ultraviolet ray range to visible light range is incident fromthe direction of a normal of a substrate surface, a partial light 125 isreflected by an array substrate 116 and enters a display region 110 tophoto-polymerize photo-polymerizable components in the vicinity of themain seal 106, and an uneven display region 128 is produced.

[0392] As shown in FIGS. 77 and 78, the light irradiated to the sealingagent 126 for sealing the injection port 120 or to the main seal 106enters the display region 110, so that the photo-polymerizablecomponents are photo-polymerized before voltage application.

[0393] That is, although the photo-polymerizable components dispersed inthe liquid crystal layer 24 form a cross-linking structure correspondingto the liquid crystal alignment by photopolymerization, since thephoto-polymerizable components in the vicinity of the injection port 120or in the vicinity of the main seal 106 form across-linking structure inthe vertical direction, even if a voltage is applied, the liquid crystalmolecules become hard to incline. There is no problem if the sealingagent 126 or the main seal 106 can be photo-cured in the state where thevoltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 24, however, since amanufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing process become complicated,it is not realistic.

[0394] In order to solve this, in this embodiment, the above problem issolved by means described below.

[0395] (1) A resin which can be photo-cured by a light in a range otherthan the photopolymerization wavelength range of the photo-polymerizablecomponent is used for the sealing agent 126 or the main seal 106. If thesealing agent 126 or the main seal 106 can be cured by the light in therange other than the wavelength range in which the photo-polymerizablecomponent is photo-polymerized, the above disadvantage does not occur.

[0396] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei. 11-2825 disclosessuch a manufacturing method that a sealing agent is irradiated withlight in which a specified wavelength exerting a bad influence on liquidcrystal is removed. However, this embodiment has an object not tophoto-polymerize the photo-polymerizable components dispersed in theliquid crystal at the process for curing the sealing agent 126 or themain seal 106, and is different from the well-known technique in that ifthe specified wavelength exerting a bad influence on the liquid crystalis such a wavelength that the photo-polymerizable components dispersedin the liquid crystal are not photo-polymerized, and the sealing agent126 or the main seal 106 is photo-cured, the light of the specifiedwavelength is also irradiated.

[0397] (2) A resin which can be photo-cured by a light having anintensity peak in a range other than the photopolymerization wavelengthrange of the photo-polymerizable component is used for the sealing agent126 or the main seal 106. Even in the resin partially requiring thelight in the photopolymerization wavelength range of thephoto-polymerizable component for photopolymerization, if thephoto-curing wavelength range other than that is sufficiently wide, onlythe sealing agent 126 or the main seal 106 can be cured using the lighthaving the intensity peak in the range other than thephotopolymerization wavelength range of the photo-polymerizablecomponent. That is, even if the photopolymerization wavelength range ofthe photo-polymerizable component is partially included in theirradiation light, if the accumulation amount of light in terms of thephotopolymerization wavelength range of the photo-polymerizablecomponent is lowered than the accumulation amount of light necessary forphotopolymerization, the photo-polymerizable component is notphoto-polymerized. Thus, it becomes possible to cure only the sealingagent 126 or the main seal 106 by the light having the intensity peak inthe range other than the wavelength range in which thephoto-polymerizable component is photo-polymerized.

[0398] (3) The photo-curing resin used for the sealing agent 126 or themain seal 106 is made to have a wavelength range of photo-curing longerthan at least the photo-polymerizable component. The photo-curingwavelength range depends on the light absorption characteristics of aphotoinitiator. Thus, if the absorption wavelength of the photoinitiatorcontained in the photo-curing resin is on the side of a longerwavelength than at least that of the photoinitiator contained in thephoto-polymerizable component, the light on the side of the longerwavelength than the wavelength range in which the photo-polymerizablecomponent is photo-polymerized is irradiated through a filter forblocking (cutting) a short wavelength side, and only the sealing agentor the main seal can be cured.

[0399] The reason why the long wavelength side, not the short wavelengthside, is selected is that since many photoinitiators have lightabsorption ranges on the short wavelength side, if the short wavelengthside is selected, it becomes difficult to distinguish between thephoto-curing resin and the photo-polymerizable component, and if thelight of the short wavelength side is irradiated, a bad influence on theliquid crystal becomes high.

[0400] (4) Alight shielding structural member which hardly allows lightto pass through is arranged in a region near the injection port andoutside the display region. By this, even if light is irradiated to theinjection port from the direction parallel to the substrate surface, thelight entering the display region is blocked by the light shieldingstructural member, so that only the sealing agent can be curedirrespective of the wavelength range of irradiation or the used resin.

[0401] (5) A light attenuation structural member for attenuating lightto a level not higher than a light amount at which thephoto-polymerizable component is photo-polymerized is arranged in aregion near the injection port and outside the display region. Even ifthe shielding structural member hardly transmitting light is not used,if the light attenuation structural member is used which attenuateslight to the value not higher than the light amount in which thephoto-polymerizable component is photo-polymerized, even if the light isirradiated to the injection port from the direction parallel to thesubstrate surface, the light entering the display region is attenuatedby the light attenuation structural member to the value not higher thanthe light amount in which the photo-polymerizable component ispolymerized. Thus, only the sealing agent can be cured irrespective ofthe wavelength range of irradiation or the used resin.

[0402] (6) The above light shielding structural member or the lightattenuation structural member is made an aggregation made of pluralstructural members each having a plane shape of a line or an almostcircular form, and the structural members are alternately formed so thatthe liquid crystal composite of the display region is not exposed whenviewed in the direction parallel to the substrate surface. If thestructural member is separately formed, it obstructs the injection ofliquid crystal, however, by adopting the foregoing construction, theeffect equivalent to the case where the structural member is separatelyformed can be expected while the flow path of the liquid crystal isensured.

[0403] By using the foregoing construction, in the liquid crystaldisplay in which the liquid crystal alignment is fixed byphoto-polymerizing the photo-polymerizable components dispersed in theliquid crystal while the voltage is applied, the occurrence of theunevenness of display in the vicinity of the injection port or in thevicinity of the main seal is prevented, and the high display quality canbe obtained.

[0404] Hereinafter, the liquid crystal display according to thisembodiment and the method of manufacturing the same will be specificallydescribed using examples and comparative examples.

EXAMPLE 9-1

[0405] An acrylic photo-polymerizable component (made by Merck JapanCorporation) of 0.3 wt % exhibiting a nematic liquid crystal propertywas mixed into a negative liquid crystal (made by Merck JapanCorporation), so that a liquid crystal composite containing thephoto-polymerizable component was obtained. When a light absorptionspectrum of this liquid crystal composite was measured, it was foundthat as shown in FIG. 79, there was a wavelength range of approximately200 to 380 nm (range indicated by a bilateral arrow α1 of FIG. 79) inwhich photopolymerization occurred. Incidentally, although the lightabsorption spectrum of the liquid crystal single body was also measured,absorption by the liquid crystal was roughly 300 nm or less, and it wasunderstood that absorption at 300 nm or higher was caused by thephoto-polymerizable component.

[0406] Then, an acrylic resin (made by Toua Gosei Corporation)containing a photoinitiator activated by light of a wide wavelengthrange including a visible light range was selected as a resin having aphoto-curing wavelength range at the side of a longer wavelength than atleast 380 nm, and was used for the sealing agent 126. When theabsorption spectrum of this resin was measured, as shown in FIG. 80, awavelength range (range indicated by a bilateral arrows α2 of FIG. 80)existed in a range of approximately 200 to 600 nm, and since thewavelength range of 380 nm or longer was sufficiently wide, it was foundthat photo-curing can be made by the light of 380 nm or longer.

[0407] The liquid crystal composite was injected into an empty panel ofthe MVA mode, and pressure extrusion was performed to make the cellthickness uniform. Subsequently, the sealing agent 126 was coated on theinjection port, and after the pressurization was removed, light of awavelength range of 380 to 600 nm was irradiated from the directionparallel to the substrate and the sealing agent 126 was cured.Incidentally, the selection of the wavelength range was performed with ametal halide optical source and a filter (made by Asahi BunkoCorporation) for cutting a wavelength of 380 nm or less.

[0408] After the panel was formed, while a voltage not lower than thesaturation voltage at which the tilt orientation of the liquid crystalwas fixed was applied, ultraviolet rays were irradiated to thephoto-polymerizable component from the direction of a normal of asubstrate, and a cross-linking structure corresponding to the liquidcrystal alignment was formed. The obtained liquid crystal display wasset in a prober tester and a display test was performed.

EXAMPLE 9-2

[0409] A liquid crystal composite containing a photo-polymerizablecomponent was obtained by a similar method to the example 9-1. As aresin including a photo-curing wavelength range at the side of a longerwavelength than at least 380 nm, one similar to the example 9-1 was usedfor a main seal.

[0410] A frame pattern (main seal 106) closed by a sealing agent wasformed on a substrate on which an alignment regulating structural memberfor the MVA was formed, a necessary amount of liquid crystal was droppedby a dropping injection method, and bonding of substrates was performedunder a reduced pressure. Subsequently, the substrates were exposed tothe atmospheric pressure and the liquid crystal composite was diffusedin the main seal 106, so that a predetermined cell gap was obtained.Then, the light of the wavelength range of 380 to 600 nm was irradiatedthrough a color filter substrate in the direction of a normal of asubstrate surface to cure the main seal 106. Incidentally, the selectionof the wavelength range was performed with a metal halide light sourceand a filter (made by Asahi Bunko Corporation) for cutting thewavelength of 380 nm or less.

[0411] After the panel was formed, while a voltage not lower than thesaturation voltage at which the tilt orientation of the liquid crystalwas fixed was applied, ultraviolet rays were irradiated to thephoto-polymerizable component in the direction of a normal of asubstrate surface, and a cross-linking structure corresponding to theliquid crystal alignment was formed. The obtained liquid crystal displaywas set in a prober tester and a display test was carried out.

EXAMPLE 9-3

[0412] A liquid crystal composite containing a photo-polymerizablecomponent was obtained by a similar method to the example 9-1. Anacrylic resin (made by Three Bond Corporation) containing aphotoinitiator activated by light of a wavelength range including a partof a visible light range was selected as a resin having a wavelengthrange of photopolymerization on the side of a longer wavelength than atleast 380 nm, and was used for a sealing agent. When the absorptionspectrum of this resin was measured, as shown by a curved line β1 ofFIG. 81, a wavelength range (range indicated by a bilateral arrow α3 ofFIG. 81) of photopolymerization existed at approximately 200 to 450 nm,and since the wavelength range of 380 nm or longer was not very wide(range indicated by a bilateral arrow α4 of FIG. 81), it was found thata part of light of a wavelength range not longer than 380 nm was alsonecessary. Incidentally, as indicated by a curved line β2, a generalphoto-curing resin has a wavelength range of photopolymerization fromapproximately 200 to 380 nm, and contains a photoinitiator activated byonly light of an ultraviolet ray region.

[0413] The liquid crystal composite was injected into an empty panel ofthe MVA mode, and pressure extrusion was carried out to make the cellthickness uniform. Subsequently, a sealing agent was coated on aninjection port, and after the pressurization was removed, light of awavelength range (range indicated by a bilateral arrow α5 of FIG. 81) of350 to 600 nm was irradiated from the direction parallel to thesubstrate and the sealing agent was cured. Since the photo-polymerizablecomponents dispersed in the liquid crystal are photo-polymerized when anaccumulation amount of light in the vicinity of the i line (330 to 380nm) becomes 1000 mJ/cm² or higher, the amount of irradiation light wasset such that the accumulation amount of light in the wavelength rangeof 350 to 380 nm became this value or less. The selection of thewavelength range was carried out with a high pressure mercury lightsource and a filter (made by Asahi Bunko Corporation) for cutting awavelength of 350 nm or less. A wavelength at which the intensity has apeak becomes 436 nm from 365 nm by this filter, and the accumulationamount of light in the vicinity of the i line is attenuated toapproximately ⅓. Although the amount of light by which the photo-curingresin is photo-cured is 2000 mJ/cm² in the accumulation amount of lightof the wavelength range of 350 to 600 nm, since the accumulation amountof light in the vicinity of the i line becomes 1000 mJ/cm² or less bythe filter, it has been found that only the sealing agent can be cured.

[0414] After the panel was formed, while a voltage not lower than thesaturation voltage at which the tilt orientation of the liquid crystalwas fixed was applied, ultraviolet rays were irradiated to thephoto-polymerizable component from the direction of a normal of asubstrate surface, and a cross-linking structure was formed. Theobtained liquid crystal display was set in a prober tester and a displaytest was carried out.

EXAMPLE 9-4

[0415] A liquid crystal composite containing a photo-polymerizablecomponent was obtained by a similar method to the example 9-1. As asealing agent, the foregoing general photo-curing resin (made by ThreeBond Corporation) was used in which an accumulation amount of lightnecessary for curing was 2000 mJ in terms of the i line. In an emptypanel of an MVA-LCD prior to sealing of liquid crystal, as shown inFIGS. 82A and 82B (FIG. 82A shows a state viewed in the direction of anormal of a substrate surface, and FIG. 82B shows a state viewed in thedirection of the substrate surface), a light shielding structural member130 which was almost opaque to light was formed in the vicinity of aninjection port and a region outside a display region. The lightshielding structural member 130 was made an aggregate constituted byplural structural members each having a plane shape of a substantiallycircular form, and they were alternately arranged so that the liquidcrystal composite of a display region 110 was not exposed when viewed inthe direction parallel to the substrate surface. The structural memberswere formed by dotting a seal agent (made by Kyoritsu ChemicalCorporation) mixed with a black spacer (Sekisui Fine ChemicalCorporation) by a seal dispenser.

[0416] The liquid crystal composite was injected into this empty panel,and pressure extrusion was carried out to make the cell gap uniform.Subsequently, the sealing agent was coated on the injection port, andafter the pressurization was removed, light of a wavelength range of 200to 600 nm was irradiated from the direction parallel to the substrate tocure the sealing agent. In this example 9-4, the light from a highpressure mercury light source was irradiated as it was.

[0417] After the panel was formed, while the voltage not lower than thesaturation voltage at which the tilt orientation of liquid crystal wasfixed was applied, ultraviolet rays were irradiated to thephoto-polymerizable component in the direction of a normal of asubstrate, and a cross-linking structure corresponding to the liquidcrystal alignment was formed. The obtained liquid crystal display wasset in a prober tester, and a display test was carried out.

EXAMPLE 9-5

[0418] A liquid crystal composite containing a photo-polymerizablecomponent was obtained by a method similar to the example 9-1. Theforegoing general photo-curing resin was used as a sealing agent. In anempty panel of the MVA mode, as shown in FIG. 83, a light attenuationstructural member 132 for attenuating light to a level not higher thanan amount of light at which the photo-polymerizable component wasphoto-polymerized was formed in the vicinity of an injection port 120and in a region outside a display region. The light attenuationstructural member 132 was made an aggregate constituted by pluralstructural members each having a plane shape of a line, and they werealternately arranged so that the liquid crystal composite of a displayregion 110 was not exposed when viewed in the direction parallel to thesubstrate surface. The light attenuation structural member 132 wasformed by bundling a main seal and a sealing agent mixed with a fiberspacer (made by Nippon Electric Glass Corporation/spacer mixed as a gapagent of a main seal) by a seal dispenser. Since the width of thestructural member is about 1 mm, the above seal agent of a thickness of1 mm was coated on the glass, light of a wavelength range of 200 to 600nm was irradiated, and the level of attenuation of the accumulationamount of light in the vicinity of the i line was measured. As a result,since the accumulation amount of light in the vicinity of the i line isattenuated to ⅓ by the above seal agent, it has been found that even ifthe light of the wavelength range of 200 to 600 nm is irradiated, onlythe sealing agent can be cured if irradiation is performed through theseal agent.

[0419] The liquid crystal composite was injected into this empty paneland pressure extrusion was carried out to make the cell thicknessuniform. Subsequently, the sealing agent (not shown) was coated on aninjection port 120, and after pressurization was removed, light of awavelength range of 200 to 600 nm was irradiated from the directionparallel to the substrate to cure the sealing agent. In the example 4,the light from a high pressure mercury light source was irradiated as itwas.

[0420] After the panel was formed, while a voltage not lower than thesaturation voltage at which the tilt orientation of liquid crystal wasfixed was applied, ultraviolet rays were irradiated to the componentfrom the direction of a normal of a substrate, and a cross-linkingstructure corresponding to the liquid crystal alignment was formed. Theobtained liquid crystal display was set in a prober tester and a displaytest was carried out.

Conventional Example 9-1

[0421] A liquid crystal composite containing a photo-polymerizablecomponent was obtained by a method similar to the example 9-1. Theforegoing general photo-curing resin was used as a sealing agent. In anempty panel of an MVA mode, anything was not formed in the vicinity ofan injection port. The liquid crystal composite was injected into thisempty panel, and pressure extrusion was carried out to make the cellthickness uniform. Subsequently, the sealing agent was coated on theinjection port, and after pressurization was removed, light of awavelength range of 200 to 600 nm was irradiated from the directionparallel to the substrate to cure the sealing agent. In thisconventional example 9-1, the light from a high pressure mercury lightsource was irradiated as it was.

[0422] After the panel was formed, while a voltage not lower than thesaturation voltage at which the tilt orientation of the liquid crystalwas fixed was applied, ultraviolet rays were irradiated to the componentfrom the direction of a normal of the substrate, and a cross-linkingstructure corresponding to the liquid crystal alignment was formed. Theobtained liquid crystal display was set in a prober tester and a displaytest was carried out.

Conventional Example 9-2

[0423] A liquid crystal composite containing a photo-polymerizablecomponent was obtained by a method similar to the example 9-1. An epoxyresin (made by Kyoritsu Chemical Corporation) containing aphotoinitiator activated by only light of an ultraviolet ray region wasused for a main seal.

[0424] A frame pattern closed by the main seal was formed on a substratein which an alignment control member for the MVA was formed, a necessaryamount of liquid crystal was dropped, and bonding of substrates wascarried out under a reduced pressure. Subsequently, a gap was ensured bythe opening to the atmosphere, and the liquid crystal composite wasdiffused in the frame pattern. Then, light of a wavelength range of 200to 600 nm was irradiated through a CF substrate from the directionvertical to the substrate and the main seal was cured. In thisconventional example 9-2, the light from a high pressure mercury lightsource was irradiated as it was.

[0425] After the panel was formed, while a voltage not lower than thesaturation voltage at which the tilt orientation of the liquid crystalwas fixed was applied, ultraviolet rays were irradiated to thephoto-polymerizable component from the direction of a normal of thesubstrate, and a cross-linking structure corresponding to a liquidcrystal alignment was formed. The obtained liquid crystal display wasset in a prober tester and a display test was carried out.

[0426] [Results of Display Test]

[0427] In the liquid crystal displays of the examples 9-1 to 9-5,unevenness of display did not occur at a halftone display, whereas inthe conventional examples 9-1 and 9-2, unevenness of display occurred inthe vicinity of the injection port or the main seal.

[0428] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the liquidcrystal display adopting the alignment fixation system in which theliquid crystal composite containing the photo-polymerizable component issandwiched between the substrates, and the photo-polymerizable componentis photo-polymerized while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystalcomposite, it can be manufactured at a high yield while display qualityis improved.

[0429] As described above, according to the present invention, thealignment orientation of the liquid crystal is regulated by using thepolymer fixing method, and a wide angle of view is obtained, andfurther, a response time at a halftone can be shortened, so thatexcellent display quality can be obtained.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay having n-channel TFTs, comprising the steps of: sealing a liquidcrystal layer containing a polymerizable component, which is polymerizedby light or heat, between substrates; and polymerizing the polymerizablecomponent while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, toregulate a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tiltdirection at a time of driving, wherein the voltage is applied to theliquid crystal layer under a voltage application condition 2subsequently to a voltage application condition 1 mentioned below, andthe polymerizable component is polymerized at a stage of the voltageapplication condition 2; the voltage application condition 1: Vg>Vd(dc)=Vc, and the voltage application condition 2: Vc>Vd (dc), where, Vg:applied voltage to a gate bus line, Vc: applied voltage to a commonelectrode, and Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to adrain bus line.
 2. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal displayhaving n-channel TFTs, comprising the steps of: sealing a liquid crystallayer containing a polymerizable component, which is polymerized bylight or heat, between substrates; and polymerizing the polymerizablecomponent while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, toregulate a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tiltdirection at a time of driving, wherein the voltage is applied to theliquid crystal layer under a voltage application condition 2subsequently to a voltage application condition 1 mentioned below, andfurther, the voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under avoltage application condition 3, and the polymerizable component ispolymerized at a stage of the voltage application condition 3; thevoltage application condition 1: Vg>Vd (dc)=Vc, Vd (ac)=0, the voltageapplication condition 2: Vc>Vd (dc), and the voltage applicationcondition 3: while Vc is made to approach Vd (dc), Vd (ac) is graduallymade higher than 0, where, Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line, Vc:applied voltage to a common electrode, Vd (dc): applied voltage(direct-current component) to a drain bus line, and Vd (ac): appliedvoltage (alternating component) to the drain bus line.
 3. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having n-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates;and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and further, the voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer under a voltage application condition 3, and thepolymerizable component is polymerized at a stage of the voltageapplication condition 3; the voltage application condition 1: Vg>Vd (dc)Vc, the voltage application condition 2: Vc>Vd (dc), and the voltageapplication condition 3: Vg is decreased and is made to approach Vd(dc), where, Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line, Vc: applied voltageto a common electrode, and Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-currentcomponent) to a drain bus line.
 4. A method of manufacturing a liquidcrystal display having n-channel TFTs, comprising the steps of: sealinga liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizable component, which ispolymerized by light or heat, between substrates; and polymerizing thepolymerizable component while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or atilt direction at a time of driving, wherein the voltage is applied tothe liquid crystal layer under a voltage application condition 2subsequently to a voltage application condition 1 mentioned below, andnext, the voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 3, and further, the voltage is applied to theliquid crystal layer under a voltage application condition 4, and thepolymerizable component is polymerized at a stage of the voltageapplication condition 4; the voltage application condition 1: Vg>Vd(dc)=Vc, Vd (ac)=0, the voltage application condition 2: Vc>Vd (dc), thevoltage application condition 3: while Vc is made to approach Vd (dc),Vd (ac) is gradually made higher than 0, and the voltage applicationcondition 4: Vg is decreased and is made to approach Vd (dc), where, Vg:applied voltage to a gate bus line, Vc: applied voltage to a commonelectrode, Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to adrain bus line, and Vd (ac): applied voltage (alternating component) tothe drain bus line.
 5. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 3, wherein when the applied voltage Vg to thegate bus line is decreased and is made to approach the applied voltage(direct current component) Vd (dc) to the drain bus line, the appliedvoltage Vg is made equal to the applied voltage Vd (dc).
 6. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display according to claim 1, wherein ata time of voltage application of Vc>Vd (dc), a value of Vc−Vd(dc) isonce made higher than a desired voltage, and then, the voltage islowered to the desired voltage.
 7. A method of manufacturing a liquidcrystal display according to claim 1, wherein the applied voltage Vg tothe gate bus line is a direct-current voltage.
 8. A liquid crystaldisplay comprising: two substrates arranged opposite to each other; aliquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates and containing apolymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal moleculeand/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; electrodes respectivelyarranged on the two substrates, for applying a voltage to the liquidcrystal layer; and a plurality of stripe-like electrode patterns whichare provided on at least one of the electrodes, which are periodicallyarranged so that when a polymerizable component mixed in the liquidcrystal layer is polymerized while a voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer, the liquid crystal molecule is aligned in a patternlongitudinal direction, and in which a width of the stripe-likeelectrode is formed to be wider than width of a space.
 9. A liquidcrystal display comprising: two substrates arranged opposite to eachother; a liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates andcontaining a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystalmolecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; electrodesrespectively arranged on the two substrates, for applying a voltage tothe liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of linear protrusions whichare provided on at least one of the electrodes, which are periodicallyarranged so that when a polymerizable component mixed in the liquidcrystal layer is polymerized while a voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer, the liquid crystal molecule is aligned in a patternlongitudinal direction, and each of which is formed to have a widthnarrower than a width of an exposed portion of the electrode.
 10. Aliquid crystal display comprising: two substrates arranged opposite toeach other; a liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates andcontaining a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystalmolecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; electrodesrespectively arranged on the two substrates, for applying a voltage tothe liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of conductive linearprotrusions which are provided on at least one of the electrodes, andwhich are periodically arranged so that when a polymerizable componentmixed in the liquid crystal layer is polymerized while a voltage isapplied to the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal molecule isaligned in a pattern longitudinal direction.
 11. A liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 8, further comprising an alignment regulatingstructure for regulating an alignment orientation of the liquid crystalmolecule on a bus line for supplying a voltage to the electrode.
 12. Aliquid crystal display according to claim 11, wherein in the alignmentregulating structure, a width of the bus line is partially orcontinuously changed.
 13. A liquid crystal display according to claim11, wherein in the alignment regulating structure, an outer periphery ofthe electrode extends onto the bus line through an insulating layer. 14.A liquid crystal display comprising: two substrates arranged opposite toeach other; a liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates andcontaining a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystalmolecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; electrodesrespectively arranged on the two substrates, for applying a voltage tothe liquid crystal layer; a drain bus line and a gate bus line providedon either one of the electrodes; and stripe-like electrode patternswhich are provided on at least one of the electrodes, which areperiodically arranged so that when a polymerizable component mixed inthe liquid crystal layer is polymerized while a voltage is applied tothe liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal molecule is aligned in apattern longitudinal direction, and which are formed into a line andspace pattern in parallel with the drain bus line or the gate bus line.15. A liquid crystal display according to claim 14, further comprising aconnection electrode provided perpendicularly to the patternlongitudinal direction of the stripe-like electrode patterns, andelectrically connecting the stripe-like electrode patterns.
 16. A liquidcrystal display according to claim 15, wherein the connection electrodeis arranged at a center of a pixel.
 17. A liquid crystal displayaccording to claim 15, wherein the connection electrode is disposed atan end portion of a pixel.
 18. A liquid crystal display according toclaim 15, further comprising an alignment film, which has been subjectedto an alignment processing, formed on the substrate.
 19. A liquidcrystal display according to claim 15, wherein a linear protrusion isprovided on a side of the opposite substrate at a position opposite tothe connection electrode.
 20. A liquid crystal display according toclaim 16, wherein a linear protrusion is provided on the gate bus line.21. A liquid crystal display according to claim 17, wherein a linearprotrusion is provided at a center portion of a pixel on the stripe-likeelectrode patterns.
 22. A liquid crystal display according to claim 14,wherein a gap between the stripe-like electrode pattern adjacent to thedrain bus line and the drain bus line is almost equal to or narrowerthan a space width of the line and space pattern.
 23. A liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 14, further comprising an electric fieldshielding electrode for canceling a horizontal electric field generatedin a gap between the stripe-like electrode pattern adjacent to the drainbus line and the drain bus line.
 24. A liquid crystal display accordingto claim 14, wherein an alignment film in the vicinity of the drain busline is subjected to an alignment processing so that an alignmentorientation is tilted by approximately 45° with respect to an extensiondirection of the drain bus line.
 25. A liquid crystal display accordingto claim 15, wherein the stripe-like electrode pattern is formed to beparallel with the gate bus line, and the connection electrode isprovided such that one connection electrode is provided for an upperhalf of a pixel region, one connection electrode is provided for a lowerhalf, and both the connection electrodes are opposite to each other. 26.A liquid crystal display according to claim 25, further comprising alinear protrusion provided between the connection electrode and thedrain bus line adjacent to the connection electrode on the oppositesubstrate.
 27. A liquid crystal display according to claim 14, wherein apattern width of the stripe-like electrode pattern adjacent to the drainbus line is smaller than a pattern width of the other stripe-likeelectrode pattern.
 28. A liquid crystal display according to claim 27,wherein a pattern width of the stripe-like electrode pattern adjacent tothe drain bus line is from 0.5 μm to 5 μm.
 29. A liquid crystal displaycomprising: two substrates arranged opposite to each other; a liquidcrystal layer sealed between the substrates and containing a polymer forregulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tiltdirection at a time of driving; electrodes respectively arranged on thetwo substrates, for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer; anda directional structural member having directionality as a single bodyor an aggregate in a direction of a substrate plane or a directionalstructure formed in a surface reformed region, which is provided on atleast one of the electrodes, and which is two-dimensionally arranged inat least a partial region of the substrate and in a same direction sothat when a polymerizable component mixed in the liquid crystal layer ispolymerized while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, theliquid crystal molecule is aligned in a predetermined alignmentdirection.
 30. A liquid crystal display according to claim 29, whereinthe directional structural member or the directional structure isarranged in each of plural regions in one pixel, and is arranged topoint to a different direction in each of the regions.
 31. A liquidcrystal display according to claim 29, wherein a boundary structuralmember made of the directional structural member or the directionalstructure of the surface reformed region is provided at each ofboundaries of the respective regions in the pixel.
 32. A liquid crystaldisplay comprising: two substrates arranged opposite to each other; aliquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates and containing apolymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal moleculeand/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; and a spacer arrangedoutside a pixel region, for keeping a gap between the substrates.
 33. Aliquid crystal display comprising: two substrates arranged opposite toeach other; a liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates andcontaining a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystalmolecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; electrodesrespectively arranged on the two substrates, for applying a voltage tothe liquid crystal layer; and columnar spacers which are provided on atleast one of the electrodes, and each of which is formed at a sameposition in each of all pixels so that when a polymerizable componentmixed in the liquid crystal layer is polymerized while a voltage isapplied to the liquid crystal layer, an alignment ratio of the liquidcrystal molecule in each alignment direction is identical in all thepixels.
 34. A liquid crystal display according to claim 33, wherein eachof the columnar spacers has a thickness equivalent to a cell gap.
 35. Aliquid crystal display according to claim 33, wherein each of thecolumnar spacers is formed on a center line of each of the pixels.
 36. Aliquid crystal display according to claim 33, wherein a columnar spacerfor keeping a cell gap is formed at an outside of the pixel.
 37. Aliquid crystal display according to anyone of claims 33 to 36, whereincircular polarization plates are attached to both sides of the twosubstrates.
 38. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display,comprising the steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layer containing apolymerizable component, which is polymerized by light or heat, betweensubstrates; and polymerizing the polymerizable component withoutapplying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer to regulate a pretiltangle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time ofdriving.
 39. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display,comprising the steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layer containing apolymerizable component, which is polymerized by light or heat, betweensubstrates; and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltageof such a degree that a pretilt is not changed from that at a time of novoltage application is applied to the liquid crystal layer, to regulatea pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tilt direction ata time of driving.
 40. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 38, wherein an alignment film is formed onthe substrate using an optical alignment processing.
 41. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display according to claim 38, wherein analignment regulating structural member is formed on the substrate.
 42. Amethod of manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to claim 38,wherein the polymerizable component is a mesomorphism or non-mesogenicmonomer.
 43. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal displayaccording to claim 42, wherein the mesomorphism or non-mesogenic monomeris bifunctional acrylate or a mixture of bifunctional acrylate andmonofunctional acrylate.
 44. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay, comprising the steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layercontaining a polymerizable component, which is polymerized by light orheat, between substrates; and polymerizing the polymerizable componentwhile a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, to regulate apretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at atime of driving, wherein a solar cell is formed on the substrate; and anoutput voltage obtained by irradiating the solar cell with a light isused for application of the voltage to the liquid crystal layer when thepolymerizable component is polymerized.
 45. A method of manufacturing aliquid crystal display according to claim 44, wherein the solar cell isformed on an outer peripheral portion of the substrate, and the solarcell is cut away from the substrate when the display is completed.
 46. Amethod of manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to claim 44,wherein the solar cell is formed on an array substrate simultaneouslywith formation of an active element of a pixel portion or a peripheralcircuit portion.
 47. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal displayaccording to claim 44, wherein the solar cell is formed at a peripheralportion of a display region, is shaded with a light shielding material,and remains in the substrate when the display is completed.
 48. A methodof manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to claim 44, whereinplural kinds of solar cells having different output voltages are formedaccording to usage.
 49. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 48, wherein plural kinds of solar cells areformed to be capable of independently applying predetermined voltages topixels for R (Red), G (Green) and B (Blue) when the polymerizablecomponent is polymerized.
 50. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 44, wherein the solar cell is driven by alight irradiated to the liquid crystal layer when the polymerizablecomponent is polymerized.
 51. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay according to claim 44, wherein the solar cell is driven by alight having a wavelength different from a light irradiated to theliquid crystal layer when the polymerizable component is polymerized.52. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display according toclaim 44, wherein: a liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer isdropped on to at least one of the substrates by a dropping injectionmethod; and the solar cell is driven by a light irradiated to a mainseal when the substrates are bonded to each other.
 53. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display, comprising: sealing a liquidcrystal layer containing a liquid crystal having a negative dielectricanisotropy and substantially vertically aligned at a time of no voltageapplication and a polymerizable component, which is polymerized by lightor heat, between substrates; when the polymerizable component ispolymerized while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer,applying a drain voltage Vd (on) to a drain bus line when a gate voltageVg (on) for turning on a TFT provided for each of pixels is applied to agate bus line; and applying a drain voltage Vd (off) higher than thedrain voltage Vd (on) to the drain bus line when a gate voltage Vg (off)for turning off the TFT is applied to the gate bus line; whereby apretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at atime of driving is regulated.
 54. A method of manufacturing a liquidcrystal display according to claim 53, wherein the gate voltage Vg (on)is simultaneously applied to all the gate bus lines.
 55. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display according to 54, wherein pulsewidths of the gate voltage Vg (on), the drain voltage Vd (on), and thedrain voltage Vd (off) are respectively shorter than a pulse width of awriting voltage Vp written to the pixel.
 56. A method of manufacturing aliquid crystal display according to claim 53, wherein an alignment filmprovided on the substrate is subjected to a tilt vertical alignmentprocessing by obliquely irradiating ultraviolet rays to a film surface.57. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display according toclaim 53, wherein an alignment film provided on the substrate issubjected to a tilt vertical alignment processing by rubbing.
 58. Aliquid crystal display comprising: two substrates arranged opposite toeach other; a liquid crystal layer injected between the substratesthrough a liquid crystal injection port and containing a polymer forregulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tiltdirection at a time of driving; and a sealing agent containing a resinwhich is photo-cured by a light other than a light of a wavelength rangeused when the polymer is formed by photopolymerization of aphoto-polymerizable component mixed in the liquid crystal layer, andsealing the liquid crystal injection port.
 59. A liquid crystal displaycomprising: two substrates arranged opposite to each other; a liquidcrystal layer sealed between the substrates by a dropping injectionmethod and containing a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of aliquid crystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving;and a main seal containing a resin which is photo-cured by a light otherthan a light of a wavelength range used when the polymer is formed byphotopolymerization of a photo-polymerizable component mixed in theliquid crystal layer, and sealing the liquid crystal between thesubstrates.
 60. A liquid crystal display comprising: two substratesarranged opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer injected betweenthe substrates through a liquid crystal injection port and containing apolymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal moleculeand/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; and a sealing agentcontaining a resin which is photo-cured by a light having an intensitypeak in a wavelength range other than a wavelength range of a light usedwhen the polymer is formed by photopolymerization of aphoto-polymerizable component mixed in the liquid crystal layer, andsealing the liquid crystal injection port.
 61. A liquid crystal displaycomprising: two substrates arranged opposite to each other; a liquidcrystal layer sealed between the substrates by a dropping injectionmethod and containing a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of aliquid crystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving;and a main seal containing a resin which is photo-cured by a lighthaving an intensity peak in a wavelength range other than a wavelengthrange of a light used when the polymer is formed by photopolymerizationof a photo-polymerizable component mixed in the liquid crystal layer,and sealing the liquid crystal between the substrates.
 62. A liquidcrystal display according to claim 58, wherein the resin has awavelength range or an intensity peak in a wavelength range ofphoto-curing on a side of a longer wavelength than thephoto-polymerizable component.
 63. A liquid crystal display comprising:two substrates arranged opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layerinjected between the substrates through a liquid crystal injection portand containing a polymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; and alight shielding structural member which is provided in the vicinity ofthe injection port and outside of a display region, and is almost opaqueto light.
 64. A liquid crystal display comprising: two substratesarranged opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer injected betweenthe substrates through a liquid crystal injection port and containing apolymer for regulating a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal moleculeand/or a tilt direction at a time of driving; and a light attenuationstructural member which is provided in the vicinity of the injectionport and outside of a display region, and attenuates a light to a levelnot higher than a light amount needed at a time of forming the polymer.65. A liquid crystal display according to claim 63, wherein a pluralityof the structural members are arranged at predetermined intervals sothat the liquid crystal layer is not exposed when viewed from theinjection port in a direction of a substrate surface.
 66. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having p-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates;and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and the polymerizable component is polymerized at astage of the voltage application condition 2; the voltage applicationcondition 1: Vg<Vd (dc)=Vc, and the voltage application condition 2:Vc<Vd (dc), where, Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line, Vc: appliedvoltage to a common electrode, and Vd (dc): applied voltage(direct-current component) to a drain bus line.
 67. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having p-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates;and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and further, the voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer under a voltage application condition 3, and thepolymerizable component is polymerized at a stage of the voltageapplication condition 3; the voltage application condition 1: Vg<Vd(dc)=Vc, Vd (ac)=0, the voltage application condition 2: Vc<Vd (dc), andthe voltage application condition 3: while Vc is made to approach Vd(dc), Vd (ac) is gradually made higher than 0, where, Vg: appliedvoltage to a gate bus line, Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode,Vd (dc): applied voltage (direct-current component) to a drain bus line,and Vd (ac): applied voltage (alternating component) to the drain busline.
 68. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display havingp-channel TFTs, comprising the steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layercontaining a polymerizable component, which is polymerized by light orheat, between substrates; and polymerizing the polymerizable componentwhile a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, to regulate apretilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at atime of driving, wherein the voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer under a voltage application condition 2 subsequently to a voltageapplication condition 1 mentioned below, and further, the voltage isapplied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltage applicationcondition 3, and the polymerizable component is polymerized at a stageof the voltage application condition 3; the voltage applicationcondition 1: Vg<Vd (dc) Vc, the voltage application condition 2: Vc<Vd(dc), and the voltage application condition 3: Vg is increased and ismade to approach Vd (dc), where, Vg: applied voltage to a gate bus line,Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode, and Vd (dc): applied voltage(direct-current component) to a drain bus line.
 69. A method ofmanufacturing a liquid crystal display having p-channel TFTs, comprisingthe steps of: sealing a liquid crystal layer containing a polymerizablecomponent, which is polymerized by light or heat, between substrates;and polymerizing the polymerizable component while a voltage is appliedto the liquid crystal layer, to regulate a pretilt angle of a liquidcrystal molecule and/or a tilt direction at a time of driving, whereinthe voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 2 subsequently to a voltage application condition1 mentioned below, and next, the voltage is applied to the liquidcrystal layer under a voltage application condition 3, and further, thevoltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer under a voltageapplication condition 4, and the polymerizable component is polymerizedat a stage of the voltage application condition 4; the voltageapplication condition 1: Vg<Vd (dc) Vc, Vd (ac)=0, the voltageapplication condition 2: Vc<Vd (dc), the voltage application condition3: while Vc is made to approach Vd (dc), Vd (ac) is gradually madehigher than 0, and the voltage application condition 4: Vg is increasedand is made to approach Vd (dc), where, Vg: applied voltage to a gatebus line, Vc: applied voltage to a common electrode, Vd (dc): appliedvoltage (direct-current component) to a drain bus line, and Vd (ac):applied voltage (alternating component) to the drain bus line.
 70. Amethod of manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to claim 68,wherein when the applied voltage Vg to the gate bus line is decreasedand is made to approach the applied voltage (direct current component)Vd (dc) to the drain bus line, the applied voltage Vg is made equal tothe applied voltage Vd (dc).
 71. A method of manufacturing a liquidcrystal display according to claim 66, wherein at a time of voltageapplication of Vc<Vd (dc), a value of Vc−Vd(dc) is once made lower thana desired voltage, and then, the voltage is uppered to the desiredvoltage.
 72. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal displayaccording to claim 66, wherein the applied voltage Vg to the gate busline is a direct-current voltage.